World Athletics has rejected Nigerian sprint star Favour Ofili’s request to transfer her sporting allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey, dealing a major setback to her hopes of competing for the European nation at the 2028 Olympic Games.
The decision was contained in a document released on Thursday by the World Athletics Nationality Review Panel, which said the application submitted by the Türkiye Athletics Federation failed to meet the requirements for approval.
According to the panel, granting the request would conflict with the regulatory principles governing nationality transfers in international athletics.
“The Application by the TAF for Favour OFILI (the ‘Athlete’) to transfer allegiance from NGR to TUR is not approved,” the panel stated.
The review panel comprised Donna Raynor, Cydonie Mothersill, and Susanne van Waert.
The ruling means Ofili will remain ineligible to represent Turkey unless fresh circumstances emerge or a future application is reconsidered under different terms.
The development comes as a significant blow to the Nigerian sprinter, who had been eyeing a switch in allegiance as part of her long-term international career plans.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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