World Athletics has confirmed it has received four athlete transfer applications from the Turkish Athletics Federation, amid mounting speculation that Nigeria’s top 200m sprinter, Favour Ofili, is among those seeking a nationality switch ahead of the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The confirmation comes less than three months before the global athletics event, casting uncertainty over Ofili’s immediate international future.
World Athletics acknowledges pending application for Favour Ofili
Responding to an inquiry from Bold Sports, World Athletics Communications Manager, Maphuti Hlako, stated that the organization’s Nationality Review Panel (NRP) is currently handling the transfer requests.
“We can confirm that the NRP [Nationality Review Panel] has received four applications from the Turkish Member Federation requesting athlete transfers,” Hlako said.
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“These applications have neither been reviewed as of yet, nor approved by the NRP.”
While Hlako declined to name the athletes involved, multiple sources suggest that 22-year-old Ofili, Nigeria’s fastest-ever female in the 200m, is part of the list, having reportedly filed her application on May 31, 2025.
Sources close to the sprinter indicate that Favour Ofili’s decision stems from deep frustration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), though specific grievances have yet to be made public. The Louisiana State University (LSU) standout has previously hinted at institutional challenges faced by elite Nigerian athletes.
Implications: Three-Year Ineligibility window
Under World Athletics rules, athletes switching allegiance must observe a three-year waiting period before representing their new country in international competitions. If her application is approved, Ofili would miss both the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo and the 2027 edition in Beijing.
However, she would become eligible to represent Turkey at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, giving her a potential new start on the world stage.
