The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has revealed that Nigeria is yet to receive any official communication regarding sprinter Favour Ofili’s alleged switch of allegiance to Turkey, reports Completesports.com.
Addressing a press conference at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Wednesday, Olopade stated that the Delta-born sprinter has so far ignored all efforts made to reach her for confirmation on the matter.
“I can confirm to you that Favour Ofili has so far refused to respond to efforts to reach her, as she insisted she would not speak to any official. About 24 hours after I became the DG, I called Ofili about the situation in Paris, and her response was, ‘I don’t want to speak to any official for now’, and she dropped the line,” Olopade said.
Media reports indicate that the NSC has been supporting Ofili through its Elite Athletes Programme, which provides grants to top-level athletes to aid their preparation for major competitions.
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The Commission provides annual grants of $20,000 to athletes in the A Category of the Elite Programme, aiming to enhance Nigeria’s performance in international sports.
“Ofili is also part of the 69 athletes on the NSC payroll, and we paid them two months ago, so it’s surprising to see news of her alleged switch to Turkey. As of now, she still remains a Nigerian athlete. We paid Ofili two months ago, so it came as a shock when we learnt of her alleged move to Turkey,” Olopade said.
He continued: “The Commission has established an Elite Athletes and Podium Board to address issues related to athlete support and performance. It prioritises athlete welfare, recognising its importance in creating a supportive environment that allows athletes to thrive.
“Athletes’ welfare is non-negotiable. The Commission reiterates its commitment to supporting athletes both in their sporting endeavours and in life beyond competition,” the DG added.
By Richard Jideaka, Abuja
