Ofili: Ogba backs ruling, warns against ‘cash-driven’ switches
A former president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Solomon Ogba, has endorsed the decision of World Athletics to block Nigerian sprinter, Favour Ofili, from switching allegiance to Türkiye, describing the attempted transfer as unjust and harmful to the integrity of global sport. Reacting to Thursday’s ruling, Ogba commended World Athletics President Sebastian Coe […]
nigeria’s sprint sensation, favour ofili didn’t compete in women’s 100 meters at paris olympics because of administrative failure
A former president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Solomon Ogba, has endorsed the decision of World Athletics to block Nigerian sprinter, Favour Ofili, from switching allegiance to Türkiye, describing the attempted transfer as unjust and harmful to the integrity of global sport.
Reacting to Thursday’s ruling, Ogba commended World Athletics President Sebastian Coe and the Nationality Review Panel for what he called a principled stand against the commodification of athletes.
The panel had found that Ofili’s application was part of a broader, state-backed recruitment drive by Türkiye aimed at attracting foreign talent with financial incentives ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
“I want to specially thank the president of World Athletics, Sebastian Coe, a true friend of developing countries, members of the panel and the World Athletics family for standing with the truth.
“How can a country give an athlete the opportunity for his or her talent to blossom from primary school, to secondary school and to the collegiate level, then a country that doesn’t believe in the athlete when he or she is just a potential, come with bags full of money and snatch the athlete, it’s unfair, its unjust and should be discouraged,” he said.
Ogba urged athletes to be focused and more committed to their careers.
“Usain Bolt did not need to change allegiance before he became one of the very best in athletics, Julien Alfred did not dump Saint Lucia, Eliud Kipchoge is the greatest marathoner of all time, he is still wearing the colours of Kenya’’
Ogba argued that such practices undermine years of investment made by countries like Nigeria in nurturing athletes from grassroots to elite levels.
He questioned the fairness of nations offering lucrative deals to athletes they did not develop, noting that it distorts competition and discourages long-term sports development.
“Countries that did not believe in these athletes at their formative stages should not be allowed to swoop in with money and take them away,” he said, stressing that the ruling sends a strong message against opportunistic recruitment strategies.