World Athletics Declines Ofili’s Switch to Turkey Over ‘Mercenary’ Concerns

World Athletics Declines Ofili’s Switch to Turkey Over ‘Mercenary’ Concerns

The global athletics body has turned down a request by Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili to change her sporting nationality to Turkey, citing concerns over the manner in which the move was initiated.

In a decision announced by World Athletics and conveyed through the Athletics Federation of Nigeria on Thursday, the request was rejected after a review of applications submitted by the Turkish Athletics Federation.

The governing body said the move formed part of a broader pattern in which foreign athletes were being recruited to switch allegiance “abruptly and primarily for mercenary reasons.”

Ofili, 23, was among 11 athletes listed in Turkey’s submission. However, the review panel ruled that the process undermined the spirit of fair competition and could discourage countries from investing in the development of their own athletes.

World Athletics warned that such arrangements risk replacing local talent with imported competitors, a trend it said could weaken national athletics systems.

The decision comes months after Ofili began the process of switching allegiance, following her public criticism of Nigerian athletics authorities over what she described as repeated administrative lapses that affected her career.

The sprinter missed the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after failing to meet drug-testing requirements, an issue she blamed on officials who did not notify her in time. A separate administrative error also ruled her out of the 100 metres event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where her name was reportedly not submitted.

Her case has drawn attention to ongoing concerns about athlete management and governance within Nigerian athletics, even as authorities insist efforts are being made to address past shortcomings.

For now, the ruling means Ofili remains tied to Nigeria unless a fresh application is made under different conditions.