AFN not worried by Ofili’s rumoured move to dump Nigeria

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) says it has capable athletes to fill the vacuum should U.S.-based sprinter, Favour Ofili, decide to switch allegiance from Nigeria to another country.

The relationship between Ofili and the AFN became strained at the just-concluded Paris 2024 Olympics following the disappearance of her name from the list that the federation submitted for the women’s 100m event.

While the AFN maintained its innocence, saying it listed Ofili for the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay at the Games, the athlete says that the federation should be held responsible.

An online media report indicated that Ofili is considering switching allegiance  to another country, just like hammer thrower and Paris 2024 Olympics silver medalist, Annette Nneka Echikunwoke, did following a similar administrative oversight, which prevented her from competing for Team Nigeria at Tokyo Olympics.

An AFN official told The Guardian, yesterday, that the federation would not stop Ofili from actualising her alleged plan, saying: “If truly Ofili is considering switching her allegiance from Nigeria to another country, it might be difficult for the AFN to prevent her. But Ofili must know some of the technicalities involved in such move because World Athletics’ rules state that for an athlete to be eligible to compete for another country, he/she must stay away from any athletics competition for a period of three years. It means Ofili will not compete in any athletics event between now and late 2027.

“Ofili is fast becoming an uncontrollable athlete for the AFN. There are certain things we have been trying to keep away from the public concerning Ofili. At the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, United States in 2022, Ofili refused to stay with other Nigerian athletes in our camp that had bigger athletes like Tobi Amusan, Ese Brume and others. She moved into a hotel with her coach. We tolerated her.

“Ofili did not come to Nigeria for the AFN National Trials, where athletes were picked for the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. We tolerated her. Even at the championships in Budapest, Ofili refused to train with other Nigerian athletes to perfect their baton exchange. She insisted on taking instruction only from her American coach. Our 4x100m relay team eventually lost the ticket to the final due to poor baton exchange between Ofili and Rosemary Chukwuma. We tolerated her.

“In our National Trials ahead of the African Games in Ghana, Ofili refused to show up and she did not bother to come for the Games in Accra. We tolerated her. The biggest disappointment Ofili gave to Nigeria was her refusal to compete in the semifinal of the 100m at the 23rd African Senior Championships in Douala, Cameroon, in July this year.

Our immediate reaction was to stop her and Rosemary Chukwuma, who also stayed away from her 100m semifinal event, from making the team to the Paris Olympics. But the Sports Minister, John Owan Enoh, invited them to his hotel, in Douala, for discussion even without our knowledge. It became difficult for the AFN to wield the big stick against them.

“Nobody in the AFN is saying that Ofili should change her nationality to another country, but if she is desperate to go, no one can stop her. What I want Nigerians to know is that Ofili’s ‘unruly’ behaviour is fast spreading to some other athletes, and if care is not taken, the AFN might lose control of the athletes, and that will be catastrophic for Nigeria. As I said, we have other capable athletes, who can fill the space if Ofili decides to go. It is better we have a team with disciplined athletes, than to parade a squad laced with undisciplined athletes,” the official said.