Nigerian Sprinter Favour Ofili Switches Allegiance to Turkey
Lagos, Nigeria - 22 June, 2025 - Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has made a shocking decision to switch allegiance to Turkey, citing frustration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian National Olympic Committee (NOC).
Ofili's decision comes after the AFN and NOC failed to enter her name for the Paris 2024 Olympics, despite her achieving the 100m standard.
This is not the first time Ofili has been let down by Nigerian athletics authorities. In 2021, she missed the Tokyo Olympics 200m event due to the AFN and Nigeria Anti-Doping Commission's (NADC) failure to ensure she was tested in time, a problem that affected 13 other athletes.
Ofili's transfer of allegiance is seen as a significant blow to Nigerian athletics, with many questioning the leadership of the AFN. Notably, the same leadership that has been criticized for its handling of Ofili's case was re-elected in June, just days after she began the process of switching allegiance.
Ofili's frustration with the AFN and NOC appears to have been building for some time. Her decision to seek new opportunities with Turkey may signal a new chapter in her athletic career. The news has sparked widespread debate about the state of athletics in Nigeria and the need for reform within the AFN.
Source: Lead News Online
