Favour Ofili is still competing for Nigeria, despite recent reports claiming she plans to represent Turkey in future competitions.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, made this known during a press briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday ahead of the Confederation of African Athletics U-18 and U-20 Championships.
He clarified that there is no official confirmation that the athlete has changed her nationality.
Olopade said that Ofili, who holds the women’s 150m world record, contacted the commission two months ago to confirm her loyalty to Nigeria.
He also mentioned that she is one of the 69 athletes who received financial support from the commission in April this year, showing she is still part of the country’s development efforts in sports.
The comment came after unverified reports suggested that the 2024 Paris Olympics athlete was preparing to represent Turkey, sparking reactions in the Nigerian athletics community.
Many expressed worry, considering her international reputation and record.
Though the Athletics Federation of Nigeria had earlier reacted with concern to the reports, the sports commission insisted that they have not received any official notice from World Athletics or any other body about a nationality switch.
If she eventually decides to compete for another country, she would have to wait for three years as required by World Athletics rules, since she recently represented Nigeria at the Olympics.
For now, World Athletics still lists her as a Nigerian on its website, and she is expected to take part in the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo in September.
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