Favour Ofili Switches Allegiance From Nigeria to Turkey After Olympics Disappointment: Reports

• Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has reportedly switched her allegiance to represent Turkey
• Ofili was not registered for the Paris 2024 Olympics 100 metre event despite qualifying
• She was also denied an opportunity during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to organisational error

Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has reportedly switched her allegiance to represent Turkey following multiple Olympics disappointments at the hands of Nigerian authorities.

Ofili was popularly denied the opportunity of racing in the 100 metres event of the Paris 2024 Olympics despite qualifying after the Athletics Federation of Nigeria did not register her.

She also missed out on participating in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after the federation failed to submit her mandatory tests, thus leading to her disqualification.

According to Daily Trust, she was awarded a compensation of $8,000 for the incident, while the chairman and secretary of the federation were to be sanctioned.

Fans react to Ofili’s switch

Jamaican journalist Kayon Raynor broke the news on social media, but Ofili has yet to issue an official confirmation of the news.

Nigerians have trooped out in numbers to call out the country's failure and wish Ofili well with the European country.

@UnkleAyo wrote:

"The person responsible for this ineptitude did not lose his job, the same way the JAMB registrar didn't lose his job. A country where incompetence is glorified. And they 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."

@jideeverblazin wrote:

“I no blame her o. She seems to have lost confidence in the same board that in some inexplicable way, didn't register her for the Olympics; and there was no proper closure to the whole debacle. Her frustration is justified.”

@official_micolo wrote:

“They wasted 8 years of her life, 8 years of training for the biggest event in her field. I remember how she cried bitterly in that video after losing in Paris. She deserves better. Best of luck with Turkey, Favour Ofili 🇹🇷❤️”

UK-based Nigerian journalist Rilwan Balogun describes Ofili’s decision as the best for her career and believes Nigeria has missed out on an incredibly talented athlete.

“Ofili has made the best decision for her career. After facing what must have been a disappointing omission by the authorities in Nigeria, I think she must feel like she’s not being taken seriously,” he told Legit.ng.

“Turkey presents a very great option. Firstly, because her welfare will be taken seriously and her payments won’t be delayed, and secondly, because she faces less competition and a real opportunity to do something extremely great for them.

“I don’t blame her at all, despite how I think it’d have been very good for her to compete for Nigeria, considering her incredible talent.’

“She will see the many athletes who regret not taking those big steps when they were ill-treated, and they’d be in her ears telling her to do what’s best for her career. At the moment, I think it’s what’s best for her, and she should make the most of it. She’s a global talent that deserves the best,” he concluded.

Ofili to earn huge payout from Turkey switch

Legit.ng reported that Ofili is set to earn a huge payout after reportedly switching her allegiance from racing for Nigeria to competing for Turkey.

The move was necessitated by the failure of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria to register her duly at consecutive Olympics in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.

Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng