National Sports Commission, DG Bukola Olopade has expressed relief following the decision by World Athletics to reject Favour Ofili’s bid to switch allegiance to Turkey.
Olopade reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the 23-year-old sprinter.
The Commission’s chief urged Ofili abandon the nationality switch and assured her of full institutional support going forward.
“I am grateful that her hope of representing Turkey was dashed because Favour Ofili is our daughter.
“We love her so much. In every interview, I have pleaded with her to come back home. I want to use this medium to speak to those close to her we are waiting for her.
“Don’t be dejected or angry. We love you and still want you back. We promise you all the support you need to go and win at the Olympics in the next two years. Please come back to us,” Olopade said.
Ofili’s attempt to change nationality follows a series of administrative setbacks that hindered her career under the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Olympic Committee.
Notably, Ofili was among several Nigerian athletes ruled ineligible for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to non-compliance with mandatory out-of-competition drug testing protocols by officials.
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Additionally, despite qualifying for the 100m event, her name was not submitted by Nigerian authorities, preventing her from competing in that category at the Games.
Favor Ofili’s proposed switch to Turkey was ultimately blocked by World Athletics, which determined that the move was part of a broader, state-backed recruitment strategy aimed at strengthening Turkey’s team ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The governing body cited concerns about the integrity of the sport, noting that Ofili was among a group of athletes targeted in what has been described as a “mercenary” recruitment approach.
Related Story: Find Out Why World Athletics Rejected Favour Ofili Switch to Turkey Switch
