World Athletics has turned down Turkey’s request to change Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili’s allegiance, delivering a major setback to her planned nationality switch ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games.
The decision was detailed in a document seen by NEWSCLICKNG Online on Thursday. It stated that the World Athletics Nationality Review Panel refused the application submitted by the Türkiye Athletics Federation after assessing the circumstances surrounding it.
The panel—made up of Donna Raynor, Cydonie Motherskill, and Susanne van Waert—said approving the request would conflict with core regulatory principles that govern international athletics.
The report also noted that the application formed part of a broader effort to recruit multiple athletes, raising concerns about the potential impact on the integrity of global competitions. It added that submissions from all involved parties, including Ofili and the Turkish federation, were reviewed before a final decision was reached.
“The Application by the TAF for Favour OFILI (the ‘Athlete’) to transfer allegiance from NGR to TUR is not approved,” the World Athletics panel stated.
World Athletics explained that its rules allow it discretionary authority to deny nationality transfers where wider institutional goals may be compromised. In this case, it concluded that approval would undermine efforts to preserve fair competition and encourage countries to develop local talent.
The panel also pointed out that Turkey’s request was one of 11 made under what it described as a state-supported recruitment initiative targeting foreign athletes with attractive contracts, aimed at strengthening competitiveness ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
It warned that such practices could weaken the credibility of national representation by encouraging switches driven mainly by financial or competitive benefits rather than genuine national affiliation.
Although Ofili’s concerns about her treatment by Nigerian athletics authorities were considered, the panel said they did not outweigh the broader governance issues involved.
It noted that she last competed for Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and had since obtained Turkish citizenship, signed a long-term deal, and signaled intentions to move. However, these factors were still insufficient under the existing regulations.
The document further stated, “Because the Application is not approved, the Athlete is not entitled to transfer allegiance to TAF and is not eligible to represent TUR in National Representative Competitions.”
However, it clarified that she can still compete in international events independently or for her club and is free to live and train in Turkey if she chooses.
Ofili had announced in September 2025 that she intended to change allegiance, citing dissatisfaction with how Nigerian athletics authorities managed her career.
The 23-year-old remains one of Nigeria’s leading sprinters and set a world record in the 150m event in 2025.
