Nigeria’s Favour Ofili Seeks to Represent Turkey Ahead of World Championships
Nigerian sprint star Favour Ofili has taken a bold step—just months before the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, she has officially requested to switch her sporting allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey.
The 22-year-old, who currently holds the world record in the rarely contested 150m with a blistering time of 15.85 seconds, reportedly filed the paperwork on May 31, 2025. This decision, though surprising to some, appears to be the result of long-standing frustrations with the Nigerian Athletics Federation.
According to journalist Kayon Raynor, who broke the news via social media platform X, Ofili informed the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) that her decision stemmed from repeated administrative failures by Nigerian officials—failures that have cost her valuable international opportunities.
Most notably, Ofili claims she missed the Tokyo 2020 Olympics because Nigerian authorities failed to confirm the required number of doping control tests for her eligibility. Fast-forward to the Paris 2024 Games, she says she wasn’t even entered in the 100m event, despite being fit and ready to compete. She did, however, run in the 200m and placed sixth in the final.
Crucially, Raynor emphasized that Ofili’s decision was not driven by money. Instead, it was about fairness, respect, and the chance to compete at the highest level without bureaucratic roadblocks.
Despite the move, World Athletics still officially lists her as a Nigerian athlete for now. She remains eligible for the upcoming World Championships, scheduled to run from September 13 to 21 in Tokyo—pending the approval of her allegiance switch.
Ofili has been in spectacular form this season. Just last month, she stunned fans at the Adidas Atlanta City Games, where she broke the 150m world record previously held by Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo.
As the athletics world watches closely, Ofili’s next chapter could mark not just a change of flag—but the start of a new legacy.
Leia Mais
Let’s be honest—creating content is easy. Creating content that works is a different ballgame. Before you rush to hit “post” again, pause and read this. A lot of us wake up and throw content online without thinking. No clear goals. No strategy. Just vibes. Yes, consistency matters. But consistency without strategy is like building a house on sand—it...
Have you ever wondered if receiving or transferring large amounts of money could land you in trouble with the law—even if you're not a fraudster? Well, the EFCC’s Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 says yes, it could. Many Nigerians don’t realize that transacting more than ₦5 million in a personal account or more than ₦10 million in a corporate...
The fashion world is fast-paced, creative, and digital—and if you're not using the right tools, you might be falling behind. Whether you're sketching designs, managing clients, or growing your brand online, these apps can help you stay organized, inspired, and visible. Here's a fresh list of 10 essential apps every fashion designer should be using today. 1. YouTube – Your Free...
After pioneering internet-based calling 23 years ago, Skype is officially shutting down. Microsoft, which acquired the platform 14 years ago, announced that Skype will be retired on May 5, 2025, as the company prioritizes Microsoft Teams. Skype users have 10 weeks to decide their next steps. While it's unclear how many people will be affected, Microsoft last reported in 2023 that Skype had over...
In a harrowing incident in Edo State, no fewer than ten people lost their lives due to jungle justice, a deeply troubling form of extrajudicial punishment. The tragic event unfolded in the Uromi Local Government Area when a group of hunters, traveling from Rivers State to Kano State, became victims of an angry mob. The hunters were initially stopped by local vigilantes during a routine search,...
