Turkey To Fight World Athletics Ban on Ofili Transfer At CAS

Turkey To Fight World Athletics Ban on Ofili Transfer At CAS

By BSN Sports 

Turkey is set to challenge a decision by World Athletics blocking the transfer of allegiance of Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili, with the मामला now headed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The appeal follows a ruling by the World Athletics Nationality Review Panel, which rejected an application by the Türkiye Athletics Federation to switch Ofili’s nationality from Nigeria to Turkey. The panel cited concerns over the integrity of international competition and the growing trend of athlete recruitment driven by financial incentives.

Jamaican journalist Kayon Raynor reported that Turkish authorities are preparing a comprehensive legal challenge, not only for Ofili but also for a broader group of athletes whose applications were denied.

The panel determined that Ofili’s case formed part of a coordinated recruitment effort involving 11 athletes from multiple countries. Among them were prominent names such as Brigid Kosgei, Ronald Kwemoi, and Jaydon Hibbert, alongside others from Kenya, Jamaica, and Russia.

According to the ruling, the initiative—reportedly supported by the Turkish government—was aimed at strengthening the country’s athletics programme ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics through the acquisition of established international talent.

World Athletics concluded that such a model risks undermining the credibility of national representation and discourages long-term investment in grassroots athlete development. The panel warned that approving such transfers could encourage nationality changes motivated primarily by financial gain rather than genuine national ties.

“The application for Favour Ofili to transfer allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey is not approved,” the panel stated.

As a result of the decision, Ofili and the other affected athletes remain ineligible to represent Turkey at major international competitions, including the Olympic Games and World Championships, though they may still compete in one-day meetings and club-level events.

In Nigeria, the ruling was welcomed by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria. Its president, Tonobok Okowa, called for unity and renewed support for Ofili, emphasising the importance of providing a conducive environment for her success.

Former AFN president Solomon Ogba also backed the decision, praising Sebastian Coe and the governing body for upholding fairness in the sport.

Ogba criticised the growing practice of wealthier nations recruiting athletes developed elsewhere, arguing that it undermines countries that invest heavily in nurturing talent. He described the trend as unjust, noting that it allows nations to “come with bags full of money” to lure athletes away.

The case is now expected to proceed to CAS, where Turkey will seek to overturn the ruling in what could become a landmark decision on nationality transfers in global athletics.