By Prosper Mene
Nigeria’s first individual Olympic gold medalist, Chioma Ajunwa, has come to the defense of top sprinter Favour Ofili amid reports of her switching nationality from Nigeria to Turkey. Ajunwa, a celebrated figure in Nigerian sports, has pointed to the persistent failures of sports administrators as a key factor in Ofili’s decision, urging the public not to judge the athlete harshly.
Ofili, a rising star in track and field, has reportedly opted to represent Turkey, a move that has ignited discussions about the state of sports management in Nigeria. Ajunwa, speaking passionately on the issue, criticized the systemic issues plaguing Nigerian sports, including inadequate support, poor funding, and mismanagement, which she argues are pushing talented athletes to seek opportunities elsewhere.
“Don’t blame Ofili for dumping Nigeria,” Ajunwa stated, emphasizing that the lack of proper infrastructure and support for athletes often leaves them with little choice but to explore better prospects abroad. “The failure lies with those in charge, not the athletes who are simply trying to achieve their dreams,” she added.
The news of Ofili’s switch comes at a time when Nigeria’s sports sector is grappling with ongoing challenges, including unpaid allowances for athletes and a lack of world-class training facilities. Ajunwa’s remarks highlight a broader issue of talent drain, with several Nigerian athletes in recent years opting to represent other nations due to frustrations at home.
Social media platforms, have been abuzz with reactions to the story. While some fans express disappointment over Ofili’s departure, others echo Ajunwa’s sentiments, calling for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s sports administration to retain homegrown talent.
Ajunwa’s defense of Ofili shows the need for systemic change to ensure Nigeria can nurture and retain its athletic stars. The nation now faces the challenge of addressing these deep-rooted issues to prevent further losses in its sporting future.
