Favour Ofili Still a Nigerian Athlete – NSC

By: Nonso Arinze

The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, has dismissed reports claiming elite sprinter Favour Ofili has switched allegiance to Turkey.

He made the clarification during a World Press Conference for the Confederation of African Athletics U18 and U20 Championships in Abuja.

Favour Ofili is not going anywhere. That’s the message from the National Sports Commission following widespread speculation that the Nigerian sprint star had opted to compete for Turkey.

NSC Director General and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Hon. Bukola Olopade, says Ofili remains committed to Nigeria. He revealed that the athlete wrote to the Commission two months ago, reaffirming her allegiance and intent to represent the country.

According to Olopade, Ofili is also among 69 athletes who received financial grants from the Commission in April—proof of her ongoing engagement in national programmes.

The NSC maintains it has received no official communication from any international federation or sports body indicating a change in nationality.

Ofili, a multiple-time national champion and international medalist, continues to be recognised as a Nigerian athlete by the Commission