Nigerian sprint star Favour Ofili has been denied approval to switch her sporting allegiance from Nigeria to Türkiye after World Athletics ruled that the transfer could undermine the integrity of international competition.
In a decision that underscores growing scrutiny over athlete nationality changes, World Athletics stated that granting Ofili’s request would conflict with key Council principles, including safeguarding the credibility of national representative events and preventing what it described as the “systematic recruitment” of foreign athletes for Olympic competition.
Ofili’s case was among 11 applications submitted by the Türkiye Athletics Federation, which World Athletics determined were part of a broader, government-backed effort to strengthen the country’s athletics team ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Despite reportedly acquiring Turkish citizenship and securing a lucrative club contract, the ruling means Ofili remains ineligible to represent Türkiye in major national competitions such as the World Championships and the Olympic Games. However, she is still permitted to compete in one-day meetings and club-level events under her current status.
World Athletics’ decision reflects tightening regulations around transfers of allegiance, particularly in cases where multiple applications suggest coordinated recruitment strategies. The governing body has increasingly sought to ensure that nationality switches are not used as a tool to gain competitive advantage at the international level.
The decision is not necessarily final, as provisions exist for reconsideration. Ofili retains the right to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, where appeals against eligibility and governance decisions are adjudicated.
The development adds a new dimension to the ongoing global debate over athlete transfers, national identity in sport, and the balance between opportunity and fairness in international competition. For Ofili, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s brightest sprint prospects, the ruling leaves her immediate international future unresolved as she weighs her next steps.
