₦airaland Forum

The World Athletics Nationality Review Panel has today refused the applications of 11 athletes seeking to transfer their allegiance to Türkiye.


The athletes concerned are:
Catherine Relin (Selin Can) Amanang’ole (KEN)
Rajindra Campbell (JAM)
Jaydon Hibbert (JAM)
Brian Kibor (KEN)
Brigid Kosgei (KEN)
Ronald Kwemoi (KEN)
Nelvin (Can) Jepkemboi (KEN)
Favour Ofili (NGR)
Wayne Pinnock (JAM)
Rojé Stona (JAM)
Sophia Yakushina (RUS)


In its decisions, the panel considered that approval of these applications would impinge upon and compromise the imperatives underlying the World Athletics eligibility rules and transfer of allegiance regulations.


The panel found that the applications formed part of a coordinated recruitment strategy led by the Türkiye government acting through a wholly‑owned and financed government club, to attract overseas athletes through lucrative contracts, with the aim of facilitating transfers of allegiance and enabling those athletes to represent Türkiye at future international competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.


Given the common features across the applications, the panel assessed them together and determined that such an approach is inconsistent with the core principles of the regulations. These principles are designed to safeguard the credibility of international competition, encourage Member Federations to invest in the development of domestic talent and maintain confidence among athletes that national teams are not primarily assembled through external recruitment.


As a result of the decisions, the athletes are not eligible to represent Türkiye in national representative competitions or other relevant international events. The panel noted, however, that this does not prevent the athletes from competing in one-day meetings or road races in a personal or club capacity, or from living and training in Türkiye.


World Athletics’ transfer of allegiance regulations govern the conditions under which an athlete may represent a Member Federation in international competition. While citizenship is a starting point, additional criteria are applied to ensure a genuine connection between the athlete and the country they represent and to protect the integrity, credibility and development of the sport globally.


The Nationality Review Panel is responsible for determining applications relating to athlete eligibility and transfers of allegiance, in accordance with these regulations

https://worldathletics.org/news/press-releases/nationality-review-panel-refuse-11-transfer-of-allegiance-turkiye

Previous Threads:.

Athletics: Ofili Dumps Nigeria, Announces Switch To Turkey, cites negligence

"We Are Sorry But Wish Her Well" - Okowa Reacts To Favour Ofili's Turkiye Switch

https://www.nairaland.com/8510782/favour-ofili-confirms-switch-turkey#136660963

Favour Ofili Dumps Nigeria For Turkey, To Receive $500,000 Base Payment

Nigeria did the girl dirty, now athletic commission

Village Fifu

Very good one from d Turkish government u must run for Nigeria and not run from nigeria

Patriotism is earned by the country by the way it treats its citizens

Of the eleven people listed, 6 are from African countries.

The panel found that the applications formed part of a coordinated recruitment strategy led by the Türkiye government acting through a wholly‑owned and financed government club, to attract overseas athletes through lucrative contracts, with the aim of facilitating transfers of allegiance and enabling those athletes to represent Türkiye at future international competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

so its about money after all

Shey she go refund money wey she collect from Turkey

Poor girl...this looks like the end of her career because Nigeria's officials will now totally mess her up, since they know that she has tried to leave

RealLordZeus:
so its about money after all

If na u nko?
I hope she can appeal the decision.

Everybody just wants better!

Sheuns:
Of the eleven people listed, 6 are from African countries.

The Jamaicans are African in orientation 😂

osazsky:
Very good one from d Turkish government u must run for Nigeria and not run from nigeria

they read before you comment.

Turkey tried bribing her and World organization block the thing.

She should appeal the ruling or just apply to another country, since it's Turkey that is the problem.

heykims:
If na u nko?
I hope she can appeal the decision.

Then she shouldnt have yearn all the nff rubbish.
she can switch quietly without dishonoring her country coz if the deal no longer work,

Omo life don carry her handicap....



Moving in silent sometimes is better than when you're moving you start telling people and throwing tantrums you don't know where the enemy fit follow...

osazsky:
Very good one from d Turkish government u must run for Nigeria and not run from nigeria

Go and read the write up again, this time read carefully.

Why na ? Village people are really doing extra- curricular overtime on her head o

Are they ready to also improve the welfare of our athletes ?

Nigeria don finish this one. Her eye go see shege na. 😂

Omo before you burn bridges, make sure you've crossed to the other side of the bridge that won't fall. A lesson that you don't announce your plans until the job is done.

RealLordZeus:
Then she shouldnt have yearn all the nff rubbish,
she can switch quietly without dishonoring her country

Why❓ Why now ⁉️

We're tired of seeing OUR Sports Heroes in their dying moments.

Let her fly out and achieve greatness‼️

May Nigeria Never happen to you people 😢

Sheuns:
Of the eleven people listed, 6 are from African countries.

all are recruited by turkey. so a country will go to less priviledge countries and start recruiting athletes just like that. its good these rubbish is stopped

These principles are designed to safeguard the credibility of international competition, encourage Member Federations to invest in the development of domestic talent and maintain confidence among athletes that national teams are not primarily assembled through external recruitment.

The problem is that she hasn't stayed in turkey that long, so decision is based on country connection not about citizenship. Maybe she has to try next time. Though it's painful treatment after Nigeria Olympics committee treated badly because she's Igbo, I guess.

FIFA commission are a mess. The minute a player raises a question about her home country should send a message!

If she didn’t want to represent Nigeria, let her be! Nigeria is a messed up entity for any players. Look around and ask former players/coaches, only bad news! They should review this

I'm

just2endowed:
all are recruited by turkey. so a country will go to less priviledge countries and start recruiting athletes just like that. its good these rubbish is stopped

These principles are designed to safeguard the credibility of international competition, encourage Member Federations to invest in the development of domestic talent and maintain confidence among athletes that national teams are not primarily assembled through external recruitment.

You wouldn't opposed her if she's your Sister.
You've got to think about the way athletes are treated after retirement in Nigeria 🤔

May Nigeria Curses Never happen to you ‼️

Athletics federation of Nigeria don sit down on her matter. They must have done something to block her move and seek intervention of village pipu.

Stop denigrating your country you will not hear

Move quietly they will say no

Now officials for Nigeria go show am shege Banza

But Nigeria officials you too change now, improve the welfare of athletes…. When no be say they use corruption swear for you people

Turkey are still learning from France. Same way France and US keep getting African athletes

RealLordZeus:
so its about money after all

yes it's money. Firstly they will sign them to a club, after some time they will be given citizenship... That will be the end of it. Frace use to the this things alot.

Their country should not allow the athletes to represent them again

SouthSouth1914:
FIFA commission are a mess. The minute a player raises a question about her home country should send a message!

If she didn’t want to represent Nigeria, let her be! Nigeria is a messed up entity for any players. Look around and ask former players/coaches, only bad news! They should review this

FIFA ke? This is World Athletics Federation ooh...

IbnB:
Poor girl...this looks like the end of her career because Nigeria's officials will now totally mess her up, since they know that she has tried to leave

They'll be so petty and destructive.

I pray that someone very high up from the Presidency steps in as her unofficial sponsor and makes it clear (quietly) to every Nigerian official that anyone who sabotages her at any international event where she represents Nigeria will come home to find EFCC waiting to search their accounts.

This would be a cheap win for Tinubu if Seyi Tinubu personally steps in for her and every other athlete.