Favour Ofili Opens Up on Mental Health Battle After Failed Nationality Switch

Favour Ofili Opens Up on Mental Health Battle After Failed Nationality Switch

By BSN Sports 

Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has revealed that therapy, the support of close friends and guidance from her coach helped her overcome one of the most challenging periods of her career following a series of setbacks, including her unsuccessful bid to switch sporting allegiance to Türkiye, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Speaking at the Prefontaine Classic, the 22-year-old reflected on the emotional and mental toll of the past two years, describing the period as one of the most difficult of her life.

"You don't know the amount of mental work I have put in over the last two years just to get back to competing and being happy again," Ofili said.

She explained that prioritising her mental health, alongside the support of trusted friends and longtime coach Dennis Shaver, enabled her to regain confidence and return to competition.

According to the sprinter, she has adopted a new outlook on life by focusing only on what she can control.

"I'm no longer worrying about things outside my control. As long as I am healthy, that is what matters most," she said.

Olympic setbacks

Ofili's challenges date back to the build-up to the Tokyo Olympics, where she was among 10 Nigerian athletes declared ineligible after Nigeria failed to meet mandatory anti-doping testing requirements.

A second major disappointment followed at the Paris Olympics. Despite qualifying for the women's 100 metres, she was omitted from the event after the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) failed to enter her for the race.

Although she later competed in the 200 metres, advancing to the final and finishing sixth, the incident sparked widespread criticism.

A government investigative panel subsequently held some AFN officials responsible for the administrative error and recommended that Ofili receive ₦8 million in compensation. The athlete, however, said she has neither received the compensation nor an official apology.

Failed switch to Türkiye

Frustrated by the repeated setbacks, Ofili sought to change her sporting nationality to Türkiye in 2025 after obtaining Turkish citizenship and signing a club contract reportedly worth $10,000 per month.

Her application, submitted by the Turkish Athletics Federation, was later rejected by World Athletics on the grounds that she did not meet the eligibility requirements to represent Türkiye in international competition.

Although Turkish authorities are expected to challenge the decision, Ofili said she has accepted the outcome and is focused on her future.

"The past three months have been the best for me. I have done so much for myself and my future. I am at peace," she said.

Moving forward

The Nigerian sprinter disclosed that she has not communicated with Nigerian athletics officials since the Paris Olympics, saying maintaining her peace of mind has been essential to her recovery.

"I haven't spoken with them since 2024. For me to be at peace, you have to stay away from things that drain you," she said.

Ofili also paid tribute to LSU coach Dennis Shaver for supporting her throughout the difficult period.

"They have criticised my coach, but I don't know what I would have done without him," she said.

The experience, she added, has transformed her mindset both on and off the track.

"The Favour of today does not care what people say. I used to worry about other people's opinions, but now I focus on myself because I am the one running," she said.

Emphasising that her mental well-being remains her highest priority, Ofili said she is enjoying her return to competition after recently racing against some of the world's leading sprinters in the 100 metres.

While she intends to continue competing in the event when opportunities arise, she reaffirmed that the 200 metres remains her primary focus.

"I'm happy to be back competing. The 200 metres is still my main event, but I'm grateful for every opportunity to race," she said.