The National Sports Commission (NSC) has said that Favour Ofili, remains a Nigerian athlete pending when the Commission receives letter from the athlete on switching of allegiance.
The media was awash last week with reports that the 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist has switched allegiance to Turkey citing indifference on the part of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) about her missing out of competition at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as well as the 2024 Olympics.
Addressing a world press conference at the Media Centre of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Wednesday, the Director General of the NSC, Honourable Bukola Olopade, said the Commission is yet to receive any official statement from Ofili over her switch of national allegiance.
Olopade was confident that Ofili is still committed to the Nigeria course as she wrote to the NSC two months ago assuring of her stand to continue to represent the country and fly her flag in international competitions. He also added that he made it a point of duty to call Ofili when he resumed as DG and the athlete confirmed her allegiance to Nigeria.
The DG said, “Favour Ofili is still representing Nigeria. She wrote to the NSC two months ago, reaffirming her commitment to compete for Nigeria. When I resumed as DG of NSC, I called her personally and she confirmed her allegiance to Nigeria. There has been no official communication from any international federation or national body indicating that she has switched allegiance. As far as the NSC is concerned, she remains a Nigerian athlete.”
The DG while stating that the Commission places high premium on athletes’ welfare through the establishment of the Elite Athletes and Podium Board as he revealed that Ofili is one of 69 athletes who received financial grants from the Commission in April 2025 confirming her active participation in national development programs.
“Ofili is also part of the 69 athletes that are on the payroll of the Commission, and we paid them two months ago, so it’s surprising to see news of her alleged switch to Turkey. Athletes’ welfare is non-negotiable, the Commission reiterates its commitment to supporting athletes both in their sporting endeavors and in life beyond competition.
“The Commission has done a lot behind the scenes to support athletes and will continue to do more. We have done a whole lot behind the scene and we would continue to do more,” Olopade said, underscoring the NSC’s dedication to athlete support,” Olopade added.
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