Uncertainty continues to surround Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili's reported plan to switch her sporting allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey, with conflicting information emerging from various sources.
Earlier this week, reports circulated that the 22-year-old had submitted documents to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) requesting to change her allegiance to Turkey. The alleged decision came after what sources described as neglect and administrative failures by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC).
Administrative Blunders Behind Potential Switch
A significant incident during the 2024 Olympics in Paris appears to have triggered the situation. Despite meeting qualifying standards, Ofili was excluded from the 100m event because the AFN and NOC failed to submit her name. This reportedly echoed a similar administrative error that cost her a spot at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
However, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has stated that no official communication has been received from Ofili regarding any allegiance change. NSC Director-General, Bukola Olopade, told reporters on Wednesday that she remains a Nigerian athlete for now.
"The NSC has been supporting Ofili through its Elite Athletes Programme (EAP), which provides grants to elite athletes to aid their preparation for major competitions," Olopade explained. "The commission provides annual grants of 20,000 U.S. dollars to athletes on Category A of the Elite Programme, aiming to enhance Nigeria's performance in international sports."
World Athletics Confirms Applications
Adding another layer to the story, former Super Eagles media officer Colin Udoh claimed to have received confirmation from World Athletics that they have received four applications from Turkey requesting athlete transfers from Jamaica and Nigeria.
"I just got confirmation from World Athletics that they have received 4 applications from Turkey requesting athlete transfers from Jamaica and Nigeria," Udoh wrote on X. "The applications have neither been reviewed nor approved. Yet. Ergo, Ofili's switch is not yet official. Still a few months to go."
When BenriNews asked BBC Africa's Oluwashina Okeleji if this indicates Ofili's switch will still happen, he responded: "Probably. Probably not. A lot of hurdles to get it done. But that initial news, that she had switched to Turkey, was fake news."
History of Nigerian Athletes Switching Allegiance
If Ofili's request is eventually granted, she would join a growing list of Nigerian athletes who have switched allegiance to other countries. Notable examples include Francis Obikwelu and Glory Alozie who switched to Portugal and Spain respectively in the prime of their careers. Others include Florence Ekpo-Umoh (Germany), Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain), and Femi Ogunode (Qatar).
The situation highlights ongoing challenges in Nigerian sports administration and raises questions about the country's ability to retain its top athletic talents.
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