FG Moves to Block Favour Ofili’s Switch to Turkey, Says She Remains Nigeria’s Athlete

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has moved to prevent US-based sprinter Favour Ofili from switching allegiance to Turkey, insisting she remains a Nigerian athlete.

A top NSC official told The Guardian that Ofili, who was among last year’s elite athletes receiving NSC training grants, cannot represent another country until September 2028. The NSC has formally written to World Athletics to confirm its stance.

READ MORE: 9.79s Star Favour Ashe Dumps Nigeria for Qatar, Cites ‘Unfavourable’ Treatment

Ofili, the only Nigerian woman to run under 22 seconds in the 200m (21.96s), has represented Nigeria at major events including the Youth Olympics (2019), World Championships (2019, 2023), Commonwealth Games (2022), and Paris 2024 Olympics. She is expected to compete for Nigeria at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

The NSC also dismissed reports that sprinter Favour Ashe is training to switch allegiance to Qatar.

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Highlighting loyalty, Nigerian sprint legend Mary Onyali recalled rejecting offers from four countries during her career, emphasizing her commitment to representing Nigeria throughout.

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