Turkey to appeal Favour Ofili ruling, as AFN opens doors for return

Turkey is set to appeal World Athletics’ decision to reject the transfer of allegiance involving Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili, with the matter expected to be taken before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The development follows the ruling of the World Athletics Nationality Review Panel, which on Thursday turned down Turkey’s application to switch Ofili’s nationality, citing concerns over the integrity of international competition and a broader athlete recruitment strategy.

According to reports, Turkish authorities are already preparing a legal challenge to overturn the decision.

“Turkey will be appealing the decision by World Athletics to turn down the transfer of allegiance applications of 11 athletes, and they will also take the appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sports, CAS,” Jamaican journalist Kayon Raynor wrote on X.

World Athletics ruled that Ofili’s application formed part of a coordinated recruitment drive involving 11 athletes from different countries, including Kenya, Jamaica and Russia, linked to a government-backed effort aimed at strengthening Turkey’s team ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The governing body said the approach undermines key principles of athletics, particularly national representation and the development of homegrown talent, warning that approving such requests could encourage nationality switches driven by financial incentives rather than genuine sporting ties.

All 11 applications were therefore rejected, with the panel confirming that Ofili is not eligible to represent Turkey in international competitions.

In response, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has expressed readiness to reintegrate the sprinter, with its president Tonobok Okowa stressing the need to provide her with support and a conducive environment to thrive.

Okowa said Ofili deserves “love, support, encouragement and more love” as she continues her career.

Former AFN president Solomon Ogba also welcomed the decision, describing it as a victory for fairness in global athletics and criticising the practice of wealthy nations recruiting athletes developed by other countries.

With the case now heading to CAS, Turkey will attempt to overturn the ruling in what could become a landmark decision on nationality transfers in international athletics.