World Athletics Blocks Ofili’s Switch to Turkiye
Panel Rejects Nigeria Star’s Transfer Amid Recruitment Concerns
World Athletics has rejected an application by the Türkiye Athletics Federation (TAF) to secure a transfer of allegiance for Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili.
The decision, issued on April 16, 2026, by the Nationality Review Panel, means the 23‑year‑old athlete will not be eligible to represent Türkiye at major international competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The Panel concluded that the transfer was part of a wider government‑led recruitment strategy in Türkiye, designed to attract overseas talent with lucrative contracts.
‘The eleven applications form part of a recruitment strategy led by the Türkiye government to recruit overseas talent by offering lucrative club‑level contracts with the objective of inducing transfers of allegiance and ensuring the athletes become eligible to represent Turkey at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games,’ the decision stated.
Ofili, who last represented Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympics, was granted Turkish citizenship in May 2025.
She argued that the move was motivated by disputes with the Nigerian Athletics Federation, which she said failed her at two Olympic Games, and by personal safety concerns.
‘The transfer aims to protect her sports career and mental health following disputes with the Nigerian Athletics Federation… and personal safety concerns,’ the Panel noted from her testimony.
Despite these claims, the Panel found that Ofili’s ties to Türkiye were not sufficiently established.
‘There was no evidence of pre‑Application connection to Türkiye, and there are limited credible indications that there will be continuous residence and day‑to‑day integration in Türkiye in the future,’ the ruling explained.
It also warned that the recruitment campaign undermined domestic athletes’ pathways and compromised the integrity of national representation.
The Panel emphasized that while Ofili can continue to live, train, and compete in Türkiye at the club level, she cannot represent the country in national competitions.
It also recommended that her welfare and safety concerns be followed up through World Athletics’ safeguarding processes.
The decision is final unless appealed. Under Regulation 2.23, Ofili or TAF may request reconsideration and, if unsuccessful, appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 30 days.
