Tonobok Okowa, the president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), says Favour Ofili is “old enough to decide what’s best for her” and will not be stopped if she opts to switch allegiance to another country. 

This is coming after news circulated on social media over the weekend that the Track and Field Sprinter has transferred allegiance to Turkey after hitting the 100m standard for Paris 2024, Athletic Federation of Nigeria—AFN— & the Nigerian NOC failed to enter her name—the second time she’s missed an Olympic event due to federation mishandling.

It was reported that the 22-year-old has written to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for a change of nationality, citing the frustration she suffered at the hands of the AFN in recent international competitions as reasons.

However, AFN president denied awareness of Ofili’s switch, stating he had equally learned of the development through the media, claiming he’s yet to receive “any correspondence from World Athletics (WA)” or the athlete herself.

“If this is true, it is sad, disheartening and painful but we are yet to get any official statement from her or any correspondence from World Athletics (WA), on her request. She is a promising athlete with huge potential.

“The AFN and the National Sports Commission (NSC) have been working hard to get athletics and other sports in the country back on track and to show that both bodies are matching goals, objectives and words with action. Favour Ofili had already been paid her training grant for this year.

 “From the moves we have been making to get her fully prepared and back to the big athletics family, and her response, it’s also clear that she had been preparing and working on her newfound Turkish love.

“She is old enough to decide what’s best for her, but it’s painful and hard to take for us; however, we will not stop her. She is still our child, sister and daughter.”

The federation said, despite being one of Nigeria’s best athletes in recent years, Ofili is “difficult to deal with”, hinting that all effort to reach her after Paris Olympic proved abortive.

“Despite our own inadequacies, on several occasions she shunned the national trials, and even when she came, she selected the events she preferred to compete in,” the statement reads.

“No doubt Ofili is one of best our athletes in recent times but she is difficult to deal with.

“The AFN has its issues, but we are getting along well with other top athletes and are still thriving within the system. We wish her well in whatever she is doing and wherever she is going.”

Ofili was among the ten Nigerian athletes who missed the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to AFN’s failure to meet mandatory anti-doping requirements.

In 2021, she also missed the Tokyo Olympics 200m after AFN & NADC failed to get her tested in time, affecting 13 other athletes.

However, Nigerians are solidly behind her decision to change allegiance to any country that recognizes her input, reward her effort and hard work, as a lot of people has congratulated her across all social medium, since the country has obviously failed her in all spheres.

@UnkleAyo: “The person responsible for this ineptitude did not lose his job, same way the JAMB registrar didn’t lose his job. A country where incompetence is glorified. And these bastards will be harassing premier league superstars on why they’re not playing for Nigeria – a country where the destiny of talents is the comfort of the grave. Smart decision by Favour. All hail Turkey. More wins to her and Turkey.”

@Saodami1: “She’s not the first to switch Allegiances. I’m happy for her, obikwelu, Olisadebe and the rest did. I hope her career soars . Turkey is very Lucky to have her.”

@AhaedAB_: “When missing two Olympics due to incompetence of the AFN, then it’s the right thing to do if you’re not appreciated in a place. All the board of the AFN must be changed completely and replaced with sports personalist and not politicians. What a shame!”

@GeneralSnow_: “Congratulations to her. Imagine missing 2 olympics because of some idiats! Don’t be surprised she’s a victim of bigotry.”

@hackSultan: “Top talents require an environment with efficiency so succeed. Sometimes you cannot just outwork a failing system.”

By: Adeoye Olorunseun Elizabeth