World Athletics Blocks Favour Ofili’s Attempt To Switch Allegiance To Türkiye

World Athletics Blocks Favour Ofili’s Attempt to Switch Allegiance to Türkiye Nigeria sprinter remains ineligible to represent Turkey as governing body rejects transfer request over eligibility and recruitment concerns. World Athletics has rejected an application by the Türkiye Athletics Federation (TAF) seeking approval for Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili to switch her sporting allegiance to Turkey, effectively halting the proposed nationality change.

The decision was issued by the World Athletics Nationality Review Panel, which reviewed Ofili’s application alongside multiple other transfer requests submitted by Turkish athletics authorities. The panel concluded that the application did not meet the regulatory standards required for approval and therefore refused the transfer. The ruling means Ofili will remain ineligible to represent Turkey in international competitions under World Athletics rules.

World Athletics stated that the proposed transfers involving Turkish recruitment efforts raised broader concerns about the integrity of international competition. The panel noted that the applications formed part of a wider system of athlete recruitment linked to Turkey’s athletics development strategy, which included offering incentives to attract foreign athletes.

Officials said such arrangements risk undermining the principle of national representation in global athletics.

The decision is significant for Ofili, one of Nigeria’s top sprint talents, as it blocks her from competing internationally for Turkey despite previously expressing interest in the switch.

It also reinforces World Athletics’ stricter approach to nationality transfers, particularly where financial or recruitment-driven motivations are identified. Ofili, a 200m specialist and former Commonwealth Games silver medallist, has been one of Nigeria’s standout sprinters in recent years. Her situation reflects a growing trend of athletes seeking nationality switches amid disputes, administrative challenges, or better support systems in other countries. With the application rejected, Ofili remains eligible to compete only under her current sporting nationality unless a future appeal or new application is considered under different conditions. Athletics authorities are expected to continue reviewing transfer-of-allegiance cases more strictly ahead of upcoming global championships and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle.