Ajunwa defends Ofili’s intending switch to Turkey, slams AFN, NOC over Olympic setbacks

Atlanta ’96 Olympic champion Chioma Ajunwa has thrown her weight behind Favour Ofili’s decision to switch allegiance to Turkey, following repeated administrative failures by Nigerian sports authorities that cost the sprinter her place at two Olympic Games.

Ofili, who qualified for the women’s 100m at the Paris 2024 Olympics, was left out of the event due to the Nigerian Athletics Federation (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) failing to register her name—a painful echo of her Tokyo 2020 experience. Back then, the same authorities’ failure to ensure proper anti-doping protocols saw Ofili and 12 other athletes barred from competition.

According to reports, the 22-year-old began the process of switching nationality on May 31, 2025, formally notifying the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of her decision. She emphasized that the move wasn’t driven by financial gain, but by frustration with persistent negligence.

Despite her formal complaint, the AFN’s leadership was re-elected in June 2025, triggering fresh criticism from stakeholders.

In an interview with Brila FM, Ajunwa—Nigeria’s first Olympic gold medalist in a field event—described the development as ‘pathetic,’ highlighting that Ofili was simply reacting to a system that had failed her repeatedly.

‘One cannot train for four years only to be disqualified due to administrative errors—not once, but twice,’ Ajunwa said. ‘It’s unfortunate, but I don’t blame her. We always seem to learn the hard way.’

She warned that Nigeria’s talent drain in athletics will persist unless the country starts valuing its athletes.

‘Until we learn to properly motivate and support them, this issue of athletes dumping the country will keep repeating,’ she said.

Ofili, who holds personal bests of 10.87s in the 100m and 21.96s in the 200m, placed sixth in the 200m final at the Paris Olympic Games.