Ofili’s electrifying 10.87s underscores what Nigeria risks losing
Nigerian runs wind-aided 10.78 to win in the final, Chukwuma fifth
Favour Ofili stormed to a stunning lifetime best of 10.87s (+1.9m/s) at the ATX Sprint Classics, catapulting herself into history as the second-fastest Nigerian woman ever, behind only Blessing Okagbare’s 10.79s from 2013.
The dazzling performance comes just months ahead of the 20th World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan and strongly reaffirms the world-class potential Ofili showcased with her previous 10.78s (wind-aided) effort.
But while her performance draws global applause, it also casts a harsh spotlight on what Nigeria stands to lose.
Ofili was excluded from Nigeria’s 100m roster at the Paris 2024 Olympics following a controversial administrative oversight.
Amid ongoing reports that she is exploring a switch of allegiance to Turkey, her latest time serves as a wake-up call: Nigeria may soon see one of its brightest stars sprint under another nation’s flag.
Calls for accountability continue to grow louder. The erstwhile Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s technical director has come under fire for failing to raise flags despite knowing Ofili’s eligibility.
Secretary-General Rita Mosindi has also been named for failing to act decisively, intensifying scrutiny of the administrative lapses that may cost Nigeria dearly.
Elsewhere at the ATX Sprint Classics, Rosemary Chukwuma ran a wind-aided 10.93s to qualify for the finals, alongside Success Umukoro, who posted 11.43s under similar conditions. Both athletes will join Ofili in the final, with Chukwuma and Ofili set to face off in Heat 1—occupying lanes 5 and 4 respectively—while Umukoro takes her mark in Heat 2.
On the men’s side, seasoned sprinter Ogho-Oghene Egwero notched a season’s best 10.18 (all conditions), sealing a place in his own final and proving he remains a force on the track.
