World Athletics Rejects Ofili’s Switch to Türkiye Over Integrity Concerns
By Maxwell Kumoye
Nigeria’s sprint star Favour Ofili has been denied a request to change sporting nationality to Türkiye after the World Athletics ruled that the application failed to meet key eligibility principles guiding the sport.
The decision was delivered by a three-member Nationality Review Panel comprising Donna Raynor, Cydonie Mothersill, and Susanne van Waert, following a detailed review of Ofili’s case and ten other similar applications submitted by the Türkiye Athletics Federation.
Ofili, who last represented Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, had sought to switch allegiance after being granted Turkish citizenship in May 2025.
However, despite fulfilling several procedural requirements, the panel concluded that approving the transfer would undermine core regulations governing international athletics.
At the heart of the ruling was World Athletics’ concern over a broader recruitment strategy linked to the Turkish government.
The panel found that Ofili’s application was part of a coordinated effort to recruit foreign athletes through lucrative contracts, primarily aimed at strengthening Türkiye’s medal prospects ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
This approach, the panel noted, conflicts with key principles designed to:
• Protect the credibility and fairness of international competitions
• Encourage countries to develop their own athletes
• Ensure young athletes are motivated by opportunity, not replaced by imported talent
• Safeguard athlete welfare and long-term development systems
The panel described the initiative as a “government-led recruitment strategy” offering significant financial incentives to induce athletes to switch allegiance, raising concerns about “mercenary” motivations rather than genuine national ties.
Although Ofili’s individual circumstances, including her training base in the United States and her plans to relocate to Türkiye, were considered, the panel ruled they did not outweigh the broader implications of the recruitment scheme.
Even factors such as her reported frustrations with administrative lapses in Nigeria, including her inability to compete in the 100m at Paris 2024 due to registration issues, were not enough to justify approval under the rules.
As a result of the ruling:
• Ofili remains eligible only for Nigeria in international competitions
• She cannot represent Türkiye at global events such as the Olympics or World Championships
• She is still free to train, live, and compete in club events in Türkiye or elsewhere
The case underscores World Athletics’ firm stance against nationality transfers driven by financial incentives or strategic recruitment, reinforcing its commitment to preserving the integrity of national representation in sport.
The ruling may also serve as a precedent, with all eleven applications linked to the same Turkish recruitment programme facing similar scrutiny.
Meanwhile, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria has officially welcomed sprint sensation Favour Ofili back into its fold, signaling a fresh chapter in the relationship between the athlete and the federation.
AFN President Tonobok Okowa expressed delight over Ofili’s return, emphasizing the need for unity and encouragement around one of Nigeria’s brightest track talents.
According to Okowa, the focus now should be on providing the right environment for the 100m and 200m star to thrive, stressing that what she needs most from stakeholders is “love, support, encouragement and more love.”
The federation’s stance comes at a crucial time for Nigerian athletics, as it looks to rebuild trust and strengthen its athlete relations ahead of major international competitions.
Ofili’s return is expected to boost Nigeria’s sprint prospects, with the AFN hopeful that renewed backing from officials, fans, and the athletics community will help her reach her full potential on the global stage.
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