World Athletics Rejects Ofili's Switch to Turkey

World Athletics has declined the application of Nigerian sprinter Ofili, 24, to switch her national allegiance to Turkey, stating that such a move would undermine the integrity of national competition. Ofili's request followed her long-standing issues with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), which contributed to her absence from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and her aspirations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

World Athletics noted that approving such requests could discourage countries from developing homegrown talent and risk displacing local athletes with imported competitors. The AFN welcomed the decision and expressed readiness to reintegrate Ofili into the national fold.

Maxwel Kumoy, the chairman of the AFN media committee, stated that this development marks a fresh chapter in the relationship between Ofili and the federation. The AFN, led by president Tonobok Okowa, emphasized the need to provide an enabling environment for athletes to thrive and called on stakeholders to support Ofili, who specializes in the 100m and 200m sprints, to rebuild trust ahead of upcoming international competitions.