Nigerian sprinter and 150m world record holder Favour Ofili has reportedly changed her sporting allegiance to Turkey, just months ahead of the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The update was shared by Jamaica-based journalist Kayon Raynor via his X account on Saturday, citing information from TVJ News Centre sources.Raynor stated that the nationality switch was finalized on May 31, 2025, and officially reported to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), following what he described as ongoing dissatisfaction with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).”
Ofili has informed the Athletics Integrity Unit of her frustration with the Nigerian Athletics Federation,” Raynor wrote, adding that she had “taken up Turkish citizenship” after repeated marginalisation by Nigerian sports authorities.At 22, Ofili reportedly pointed to her exclusion from the 100m event at the 2024 Paris Olympics and her absence from the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics as major factors behind her decision.
“She claimed the Nigerian Athletics Federation was responsible for her missing the Tokyo Games due to failure to confirm her required doping tests,” Raynor explained. “At the Paris Olympics, she was left out of the 100m lineup and only competed in the 200m, where she placed sixth.”
Sources close to the sprinter suggested her decision was driven by career-related frustrations rather than monetary motivations, despite reports that Turkey had extended generous incentives—reportedly up to \$500,000—to lure foreign athletes.
Turkey has previously attracted athletes from countries like Jamaica and Nigeria as part of its strategy to strengthen its presence in international athletics. Nigeria, meanwhile, has experienced a series of high-profile defections over the years, including Francis Obikwelu to Portugal, Gloria Alozie to Spain, and Femi Ogunode to Qatar—all of whom achieved major success competing for their new nations.The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has not yet issued a statement on Ofili’s switch.
Source : https://guardian.ng/
