Like Echikunwoke, Nigerians fear Ofili may consider changing allegiance to another country

Nigerians are afraid the ineptitude displayed by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, may force Favour Ofili to consider switching her allegiance from Nigeria to another country just like hammer thrower and Paris 2024 Olympics silver medalist, Annette Nneka Echikunwoke did following a similar administrative oversight by the Nigerian federation.

Ofili was not registered for the 100m despite qualifying for the event and fulfilling all conditions set by the AFN, including, but not limited to competing at the Nigeria Olympic Trials in Benin city, Edo state in June.

Incredibly, the athlete found out on the eve of the start of the track and field event that the AFN has not registered her for the 100m, an event she ran nine times in the pre-Olympics circuit and championships. She also ran winded aided 10.78 and 10.85 times in April.

Even though the Sports Minister, John Enoh, who many have described as one that can only bark but not bite, has promised to fish out those who committed the administrative blunder, Nigerians still feel a lack of action from Enoh may ultimately affect Ofili’s decision.

Echikunwoke faced a slightly similar scenario in Tokyo after she and nine others were disqualified due to AFN’s administrative blunder.

While Echikunwoke, a full blooded American at the time, was able to change allegiance back to the USA barely two years after World Athletics granted her wish to represent Nigeria, without going through the three-year waiting period as contained in the transfer of allegiance rules, it may not be that easy for Ofili.

Ofili will not only stay off international Championships and Games for three years if the AFN does not release her before that eligibility period elapses, but the rules also state that her would be new country must also approve the transfer.

The 21-year-old will have to start by applying for a nationality change to World Athletics’ Nationality Review Panel which will ensure all criteria for a change has been met.

In the case of Echikunwoke, the panel may have considered her lack of competition for Nigeria, which could have potentially expedited her change of allegiance process.