President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa, has insisted that star sprinter, Favour Ofili’s decision to switch allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey was driven by financial motives, contradicting the athlete’s claims that her move was due to years of negligence by Nigerian sports administrators.
In a recent interview with ESPN, Okowa confirmed that both World Athletics and Ofili had officially informed the AFN of the switch.
“They have officially informed us. Both World Athletics and the athlete herself,” he said.
However, he rejected Ofili’s explanation that her decision was born out of repeated frustrations with Nigerian officials during the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“Ofili herself knows the whole truth. This is all about money. She and her coach are trying to make some money,” Okowa told ESPN.
‘She should stop using excuses’ – Okowa Replies Favour Ofili
Okowa noted that he respects the 22-year-old’s freedom to make her own choice, but criticized the reasons she made public.
“I don’t see anything wrong with that, but as far as I am concerned, if she wants to go, it’s okay.”
“She’s an adult, but she should stop using these reasons as her excuse,” he added.
Favour Ofili Headlines Trend of switches to Turkey
The AFN boss also pointed out that Turkey has become a popular destination for athletes from different countries, including Kenya and Jamaica.
“Okay, the Kenyans and Jamaicans that are going to Turkey, what reasons do they have? Let her go in peace.”
“She’s an adult; she has the right to make her decision if she wants to switch allegiance or not,” he said.
‘This change comes from the heart’ – Ofili Clears
Favour Ofili, however, maintains that her move is not financially motivated. In her social media statement, she cited deep frustrations with Nigeria’s handling of her career, including her exclusion from competition in Tokyo due to missed tests and the failure to register her for the women’s 100m in Paris.
The sprinter, who holds the world record in the women’s 150m, said:
“I have made this decision. While that means sitting out this year’s championship in Tokyo, this change comes from the heart, not from financial motives.”
Nigeria’s growing list of defectors
Ofili’s defection adds her name to the long list of Nigerian athletes who have switched allegiance over the years, including;
- Francis Obikwelu,
- Gloria Alozie,
- Florence Ekpo-Umoh,
- Salwa Eid Naser, and
- Femi Ogunode,
many of whom went on to enjoy greater success under their new flags.
At just 22, Ofili is regarded as one of the brightest young talents in world athletics, and her switch represents a major blow for Nigeria as preparations intensify for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.
