Nigerian runner Favour Ofili’s request to switch her athletic nationality has been denied by World Athletics, making it impossible for the sprinter to represent the country she intended to compete for. The news has spread across social media, with fans expressing concern over the latest setback, which could cost her momentum in the upcoming season.
The Nigerian national 200m record holder had first applied to switch her allegiance to Turkey back in 2025. This, however, got rejected, as the World Athletics concluded that the move was more of an organized recruitment strategy than an effort to build genuine ties.
Fans have expressed shock and solidarity, worrying about how this might impact Ofili’s future and derail her chances.
One user wrote:
“Favour Ofili will be needing therapy after this setback because these experiences are a lot.”
Another user commented:
“I hope she had been informed of this risk and she went into the decision clear eyed. Because the Nigerian athletic federation administrators are going to pursue a vindictive route and it could mean the end of her career.”
Someone wrote:
“This is so painful. So painful. Imagine your hard work thwarted by useless, pot-bellied, incompetent fools.”
Another reacted:
“So where does this leave her? surely she can’t come back to Nigeria cos that bridge has been burnt.”
One more user commented:
“This is not looking good for her at all and it could be the end of her career.”
LSU’s Favour Ofili had consistently expressed her dissatisfaction with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), primarily due to their administrative failures that cost her opportunities to compete at international events.
It remains to be seen how Favour Ofili would officially react to the rejection, but she could appeal the decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Favour Ofili Welcomed Back by Athletics Federation of Nigeria
Nigeria’s AFN has once again welcomed back Favour Ofili after her switch was rejected by World Athletics, despite the sprinter’s harsh criticism of the governing body. As soon as the rejection was announced, AFN came out in support of its national star and called for creating a thriving environment for all Nigerian athletes.
AFN President Tonobok Okowa specifically highlighted the impact this decision might have on the runner and expressed solidarity, promising to create an enabling environment that would rally around her.
Many international events are lined up for Nigeria, including the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, on May 2, which could hold a promising place for Ofili.
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