Nigerian Sprinter Favour Ofili Defects to Turkey After Olympic Exclusion Controversy

-

Nigerian athletics has suffered a major blow as star sprinter Favour Ofili has officially switched her international allegiance to Turkey following her controversial omission from Nigeria's Olympic team.




 The 21-year-old speed demon, who holds Nigeria's indoor 200m record, completed her transfer through World Athletics' nationality change process this week after months of frustration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).  


The shocking move comes after Ofili was left off Nigeria's Paris 2024 roster despite achieving qualifying standards in multiple events. Sources close to the athlete revealed she had grown increasingly disillusioned with the AFN due to unpaid competition allowances dating back two years, inconsistent team selections, and what she perceived as preferential treatment given to other athletes.  


Turkish athletics officials capitalized on the situation by offering Ofili a comprehensive support package including guaranteed Olympic and World Championship selections, professional training facilities in Istanbul, and lucrative sponsorship opportunities. The Louisiana State University standout reportedly received monthly stipends and performance bonuses as part of the deal that Nigerian authorities failed to match.  


AFN President Tonobok Okowa expressed disappointment at losing one of Nigeria's brightest track talents, calling the defection "a painful lesson in athlete management." Meanwhile, Nigerian sports fans have erupted in anger on social media, with many blaming the federation's administrative failures for driving away top performers.  


Ofili's switch continues a troubling trend of Nigerian athletes changing nationalities, following in the footsteps of sprinter Gloria Asumnu (USA) and hurdler Tobi Amusan (who previously considered switching to Great Britain). Sports analysts warn more defections could follow unless Nigeria improves its athlete welfare programs and selection transparency.  


The young sprinter's first competition in Turkish colors is expected to be the European Championships in August, where she'll likely face her former Nigerian teammates. As the dust settles, questions remain about what systemic changes Nigerian athletics needs to make to prevent further losses of its top talents to more organized programs abroad.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lagos Enhances Safety Measures For Emergency Situations

-
Image
The Lagos State Government has, within the last one year, saved Property worth more than N76.9billion from destruction during fire incidents and other emergency situations, just as it has developed various strategies to efficiently improve processes of emergency management in the State. The Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Oluseye Oladejo disclosed this at the ongoing Y2018 Ministerial Press Briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja to commemorate the Third Year in Office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. He said the State government is aware of the impact of safety and disaster issues on health, welfare and productivity of Lagosians, as such it has initiated different strategies to improve the emergency process and response. He informed that as part of the present administration’s efforts to promote a Safety Culture in Lagos State, various departments and agencies are saddled with the responsibility of managing safety and...
Read more

Former President of Ghana, John Mahama Arrives For Lagos Tourism Summit - Video

-
Image
 A former President of Ghana, Mr. John Mahama arrived on Sunday for the Lagos State Tourism Summit. The Summit scheduled held ‪Monday, 16th April‬ at Eko Hotel and Suites. Former President Mahama, who was the Special Guest of Honour, and expected to deliver a keynote address and share experiences on tourism development and long-term planning instruments among other issues. The former President was received at the Presidential wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja by a team of Lagos State Government officials led by Mr Steve Ayorinde, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture.   Also at the airport to welcome Mr Mahama are; Mr Fola Adeyemi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Maxwell Awiaga, Consul General, Ghana Consulate, Lagos, Basorun Dele Momodu, Publisher and CEO Ovation International.  
Read more

Internet Fraudster Runs Mad In Lekki, Lagos. Goes Unclad (Video)

-
Image
A video clip has made it’s way to social media, showing an alleged  Yahoo boy  who seems to have  run mad  for unknown reasons. According to the post, whatever the young man got involved in to get rich, must have been aided by charms which seem to be backfiring.If the comments heard in the background are to be believed, the young man is allegedly known to be an Internet fraudster. The video clip shows the young man strip Unclad along a road in Lekki phase one while wondering around aimlessly. See the clip below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwoDECmgCZ4 This is hardly the first in a string of similar cases. Yahoo-Yahoo and Charm Earlier this week, a video clip showing a known Yahoo boy, barking like a dog, surfaced online. According to the reports, there is a new money ritual system which requires wealth seekers to bark like a dog once a month in order to be rich. In the clip posted by Instablog9ja on Friday, April 13, 2018, a young man was...
Read more