Ofili announced in September on her Instagram account, followed by more than 40,000 people, that she was beginning “a new chapter representing Türkiye,” signalling her intention to change sporting nationality after years of representing the Nigeria national athletics team.

“I moved to Türkiye to save my career from officials,” the U.S.-based sprinter later wrote, explaining that her decision was influenced by frustrations with Nigeria’s sporting administration.

However, nearly six months after the announcement, Ofili has yet to compete for her new country, and the process appears stalled.

A senior official of the National Sports Commission told reporters in February that Ofili is still considered a Nigerian athlete and cannot immediately switch allegiance.

“She is still our athlete,” the official said, adding that Ofili was among the elite athletes who received training scholarships from the commission last year.

According to the official, if the sprinter intends to compete for another country, she may have to wait until September 2028, potentially ruling out a change before the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Career Frustrations

Ofili’s rapid rise in athletics has been accompanied by several controversies that have strained her relationship with Nigeria’s sporting authorities.

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, she was among Nigerian athletes barred from competing after failing to meet required out-of-competition doping control tests.

Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, she also revealed she had been excluded from the women’s 100-metre event despite qualifying.

“It is with great sadness that I have just been informed that I will not be competing in the 100-metre dash at these Games,” she wrote at the time. “I qualified, but those in charge did not register me. I have worked for four years to earn this opportunity.”

Debate Over Loyalty

The controversy has sparked debate within Nigeria’s athletics community.

Former African sprint queen Mary Onyali recently said she rejected offers from European countries to compete under their flags during her career because of her loyalty to Nigeria.

Ofili responded by suggesting the circumstances were different, noting that Onyali “was never denied the opportunity to compete in any competition after working hard to qualify.”

Speaking through her coach, Dennis Shaver, Ofili also dismissed speculation that financial incentives were the main motivation for her proposed move.

“I am a woman, and I have a short-term job,” she said. “This is the ideal time to make the most of the time I have left in my career.”

Türkiye’s Recruitment Drive

Ofili’s case comes amid an aggressive talent recruitment drive by Türkiye aimed at strengthening its athletics programme ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics.

Following a disappointing performance at the Paris Games, where the country finished 64th in the medal table without a gold medal, Turkish authorities launched a strategy to recruit top athletes from abroad.

According to athletics coordinator Önder Özbilen, several international athletes have already agreed to compete for Türkiye.

Among them are four Jamaican athletes, including Olympic discus champion Roje Stona, as well as five Kenyan runners, including former marathon world-record holder Brigid Kosgei.

Whether Ofili will ultimately join them remains uncertain.

For now, the Port Harcourt-born sprinter remains officially tied to Nigeria, leaving unresolved the question of which flag she might carry on the road to the Los Angeles Olympics.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

The decision follows a probe by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), which determined that the real ages of Birke Haylom, Melknat Wudu and Medina Eisa could not be conclusively verified when the records were set between 2023 and 2024.

The ruling means several outstanding under-20 performances by the trio will no longer stand as official world junior records.

Among the affected marks are Haylom’s world under-20 bests in the mile (4:17.13), indoor 1,500 metres (3:58.43) and outdoor 5,000 metres (14:23.71). Wudu’s junior indoor 3,000 metres record of 8:32.34 has also been invalidated, while Eisa’s 5,000 metres time of 14:21.89—previously recognised as the world junior best—has been struck from the record books.

Investigators confirmed that Eisa’s actual birth date is 17 October 2002, rather than 3 January 2005 as previously documented. The finding means she was 22 when she won gold in the 5,000 metres at the 2024 World Under-20 Championships, well above the age limit for the junior category.

The AIU also concluded that Haylom was older than indicated in her official documents, although details of the discrepancy were not publicly disclosed. In Wudu’s case, unresolved doubts about her birth date prevented the ratification of her record.

Under championship rules, athletes competing in under-20 events must be 19 or younger during the competition year and must provide verifiable documentation confirming their eligibility.

While the athletes’ performances remain valid as competition results, they cannot be recognised as junior records.

The investigation forms part of a wider age-verification campaign by the AIU in East African athletics ahead of the next 2026 World Under-20 Championships in the United States.

So far, World Athletics has not announced disciplinary sanctions against the athletes, although AIU regulations allow bans of between two and four years in proven cases of age manipulation.

The removal of the five records marks a significant setback for performances that had previously placed the runners among the most promising young talents in global distance running.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

In a statement signed by Bruce Ijirigho, a former quarter-miler and Team Nigeria captain to the 1976 Summer Olympics, the postponement was described as a strategic decision aimed at broadening participation and ensuring that young talents across the country are discovered and nurtured systematically.

The competition is being organised by the Youth Sports Renaissance Foundation (YSRF), a non-profit organisation registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission by Ijirigho, Godwin Obasogie and Charlton Ehizuelen. The foundation’s primary objective is to revive athletics, particularly at the secondary school level, and rebuild Nigeria’s once-thriving grassroots sports culture.

Ijirigho, who serves as Project Lead, explained that the initiative is not about creating something entirely new but about restoring a proven system that once produced champions.

“This competition is not about reinventing the wheel,” he said. “It is about bringing back the culture that ensured that my contemporaries and I were discovered early in secondary school, received the right coaching and academic support, and went on to earn scholarships while combining sports with education. Many of us later became national, continental and global champions.”

He identified early exposure and modern, age-appropriate coaching as the missing links in youth development across Nigeria and much of Africa.

“The bane of sports in Nigeria and many African countries is that our youth don’t get opportunities early enough and lack modern coaching techniques that accelerate their development,” Ijirigho stated.

According to him, the Future Olympian Athletics Classic will go beyond competition by incorporating international coaching clinics designed to transfer contemporary skills and knowledge to Games masters and grassroots coaches nationwide.

“The Classic will not only discover talents in their early teens but also upgrade the capacity of our coaches. That way, we will nurture them properly to become Olympians and world beaters in their late teens and early twenties. This programme is strictly for high school students because it is developmental.”

The decision to expand the event to all six geopolitical zones, he noted, reflects a commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity.

“Talents abound in every nook and cranny of the country. There are middle- and long-distance runners, sprinters, quarter-milers, jumpers and hurdlers who were either not discovered at all or discovered too late. With this postponement, we can widen the tent and give every Nigerian child a fair chance.”

Ijirigho expressed confidence that with proper planning and sustained grassroots investment, Nigeria can reclaim its place at the summit of global athletics.

“We have what it takes to dominate athletics worldwide. All we need is to get our development programme right. The Future Olympian Athletics Classic will lay that foundation for our youth and for the country when it begins in the last quarter of 2026.”

With its expanded national scope and emphasis on structured youth development, the initiative signals a renewed push to reposition Nigerian athletics for long-term global success.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Kipchumba surged to the finish line at Eko Atlantic City in an impressive time of 2:11:55, clinching the $50,000 winner’s prize in one of Africa’s most prestigious road races. His decisive kick in the closing stages sealed a memorable triumph in a fiercely contested men’s elite race.

Uganda completed a strong showing on the podium, with Lomoi Samuel finishing just four seconds behind the winner in 2:11:59, while compatriot Namutala Kephar Lumbasi secured third place in 2:12:25 to underline East Africa’s dominance in the men’s event.

The Gold Label marathon, organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited under the leadership of Managing Director Mrs Yetunde Olopade, once again lived up to its billing as a premier long-distance spectacle, attracting top-tier athletes from across the continent and beyond.

In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Dinke Meseret Meleka claimed top honours, crossing the line in 2:37:36 after a determined run. Kenya’s Daniel Flomena Cheyech followed closely in 2:37:43, while Ethiopia’s Getaw Wgagen Zewdalem finished third in 2:38:59 to complete a tightly fought podium finish.

With another thrilling chapter added to its history, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon reaffirmed its growing stature as a leading destination for elite runners and a major highlight on Africa’s athletics calendar.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

The organisers of the gold-labelled Access Bank Lagos City Marathon have described Saturday’s 11th edition as an iconic milestone that ushers in a new decade for one of Africa’s most prestigious road races.

Speaking at a press conference held at the headquarters of Access Bank in Lagos, the Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Mrs Yetunde Olopade, said the 2026 edition represents growth, resilience and renewed ambition for the marathon.

“This 11th edition is symbolic for us. It is not just another race; it signals the beginning of another decade of excellence, impact and global recognition for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon,” Olopade said.

She expressed appreciation to Access Bank, corporate sponsors and the Lagos State Government for their unwavering support and commitment to the annual event.

“We are deeply grateful to Access Bank, our valued sponsors and the Lagos State Government for their consistency and belief in this vision. Together, we have built one of the most revered road races in Africa, and this year’s event will be nothing short of world-class,” she added.

Olopade assured runners, partners and spectators of a top-quality race that would further consolidate the marathon’s international standing and enhance its global profile.

Also speaking at the event, the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, commended the organisers for their professionalism and dedication, noting that the marathon has continued to elevate Lagos’ image globally.

“The Lagos State Government remains fully committed to supporting the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon because it continues to put Lagos on the global map in a positive light,” Fatodu said.

“This race is more than a sporting event; it is a celebration of our culture, resilience and capacity to host world-class events. We will continue to provide the enabling environment for it to thrive.”

Adding his voice, Dr Nadeem Khan, President of the International Association of Ultra Runners, described the marathon’s evolution over the years as remarkable.

“The progression I have seen at the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is truly phenomenal. Year after year, the race keeps improving in standards, organisation and global appeal,” Khan said.

The 2026 edition is expected to attract elite athletes from across the world, further reinforcing the marathon’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading road races and a flagship sporting event for Nigeria.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

The Africa Running Conference (WAARC) 2026 is entering its decisive phase in Lagos, with global athletics leaders intensifying discussions on how to reposition road running and mass participation across the continent.

Held under the theme “Reshaping Running and Mass Participation in Africa: Embracing the Global Community,” the conference has drawn administrators, business leaders, federation heads and international experts committed to redefining Africa’s running ecosystem.

The Director General of Nigeria’s National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, delivered the opening remarks, setting the tone for strategic collaboration between government, federations and private sector stakeholders. The President of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), Ahmed Kalkaba Malboum, addressed delegates, while Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, sent in remarks via video message, underscoring the global importance of Africa’s growing road running movement.

Governor Babatunde Sanwo-Olu formally declared the conference open, reaffirming Lagos’ ambition to remain a continental hub for sports tourism and mass participation events.

Global Perspectives and Strategic Conversations

The conference featured a series of high-level presentations. Dr Nadeem Khan, President of the International Association of Ultrarunners, opened technical discussions with a presentation on “Road Running in Africa: A Global Perspective.” He was followed by Jackson Tuwei, Vice President of World Athletics and President of Kenya Athletics, who examined the “Growth and Development of Running in Africa.”

Business and commercial sustainability dominated the first panel discussion on “Sponsorship & Marketing: The Business Behind Road Running & Mass Participation in Africa.” The panel featured Fama Abdalla Awale, Adille J. Sumariwalla, Bukola Olopade and Ameachi Okobi of Access Corporation, moderated by Chris Robb of Mass Participation World.

Innocent Ike, Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Holding PLC, delivered a talk on creating sustainable public engagement through road running, while former marathon world record holder and IOC Member Paul Tergat spoke on changing mindsets and building active communities across Africa.

Bernard Bwalya, President of Zambia Athletics, addressed grassroots integration in his presentation titled “Federation Meets Community for Grassroots Development.”

Shaping the Future of African Running

A second panel session focused on transforming running culture and expanding participation, featuring Yetunde Olopade of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, John Peter of the Kigali International Peace Marathon, Tayo Popoola of the Lagos Women Run, and Elias Ng’andu Mpondela, moderated by Nadeem Khan.

Chris Robb later outlined a forward-looking strategy in his presentation on “Mass Participation Vision 2050,” while Kristian Midtgaard of Roster Athletics highlighted the growing role of digitalisation in race organisation and athlete engagement.

Tourism and economic impact also came under review, with Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, alongside Aku Aghazu, Vice President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, examining the effects of road running on tourism development.

The final panel on the “Future of Road Running in Africa” brought together Aku Aghazu, Alessio Punzi of World Athletics, TCHANILE-SALIFOU Falilatou of Togolese Athletics and Paul Tergat, again moderated by Nadeem Khan.

Chief Tonobok Okowa, President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, delivered the vote of thanks, while Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, formally declared the conference closed.

The conference proceedings are being streamed live by Style Digital Production, allowing stakeholders across the continent and beyond to follow deliberations expected to influence the next phase of road running development in Africa. The YouTube channel for the livestreaming is: https://youtube.com/@styledigitalproduction-hq7zg?si=dZZHW70eZGWHxTi2

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

The Africa Running Conference (WAARC) 2026 got underway in Lagos with a strong technical focus, as global and African sports leaders began deliberations on how to reshape road running and strengthen mass participation structures across the continent.

The opening morning session featured an intensive workshop centred on performance standards, accurate race measurement and the credibility of road races — key pillars identified as essential to aligning African events with international best practices.

Renowned athletics expert Norrie Williamson led discussions on “Technical Performance (Accurate Timing/Distance and Race Credibility Through Officiating),” emphasising the importance of certified course measurement, trained officials and transparent results systems in building trust among athletes and stakeholders.

David Katz, founder of Finish Line, reinforced the message by highlighting the role of modern timing technology and data integrity in ensuring that African races meet global standards and gain international recognition.

Attention then shifted to the social dimension of road running, with former Zambia Athletics President Elias Ng’andu delivering a presentation on “Community Empowerment: Sustainable Community Partnership Equals Race Success.” He stressed that long-term growth of road racing in Africa depends on strong engagement with local communities, volunteers and public institutions.

Nigeria’s Waziri Mainasara also addressed delegates on the same theme, underlining how inclusive planning, urban development partnerships and grassroots participation can transform races into engines of social and economic impact.

The morning’s deliberations set a collaborative tone for the two-day conference, which has brought together administrators, race organisers, athletes, sponsors, broadcasters and policymakers to chart a sustainable future for road running in Africa.

WAARC 2026 continues with further sessions on anti-doping, media strategy and broadcasting, before culminating in activities leading into the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, one of Africa’s leading road races.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Lagos today takes centre stage in continental athletics as the Africa Running Conference (WAARC) 2026 opens with a strong gathering of global and African sports leaders committed to reshaping road running across the continent.

The two-day conference, scheduled for February 12–13, serves as a prelude to Saturday’s 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon and is designed to deepen conversations around mass participation, race credibility and international best practices.

Organised in collaboration with World Athletics, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), the conference carries the theme: “Reshaping Running and Mass Participation in Africa: Embracing the Global Community.”

Global and Continental Voices

Among the prominent figures expected to address delegates are Jackson Tuwei, Vice President of World Athletics; Ahmed Kalkaba Malboum, President of the CAA; Adille J. Sumariwalla, Vice President of World Athletics; and Alessio Punzi, Head of Running at World Athletics.

They are joined by respected names in global distance running, including former marathon world record holder Paul Tergat and Nadeem Khan, President of the International Association of Ultrarunners.

Nigeria’s sports leadership is also playing a visible role, with Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission; Chief Tony Okowa, President of the AFN; Aku Aghazu, AFN Vice President and Head of the Road Running Commission; Yetunde Olopade, Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management and chief organiser of the Lagos City Marathon; and Tayo Popoola, General Coordinator of the Lagos Women Run, all featuring in the sessions.

Business and broadcast stakeholders are equally represented, including Roosevelt Ogbonna of Access Holdings, Innocent C. Ike of Access Corporation, Chichi Nwoko of Team 33 Production, and Felix Awogu of SuperSport Nigeria.

Technical Sessions and Workshops

Proceedings began this morning with accreditation and a technical workshop focusing on performance standards, accurate timing and race credibility. Experts including Norrie Williamson, David Katz and Thorsten Griesbach are leading discussions on measurement integrity and officiating standards, moderated by Chris Robb of Mass Participation World.

Other sessions scheduled for today include panels on sustainable community partnerships, anti-doping in label road races delivered by the Athletics Integrity Unit, media strategies for global reach through local platforms, and broadcasting techniques aimed at bringing road races to life for television audiences.

Delegates will also participate in networking sessions and a welcome dinner this evening, fostering collaboration between administrators, sponsors, broadcasters and race organisers.

Building Toward the Marathon

The conference seamlessly transitions into Saturday’s 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Nigeria’s first World Athletics Gold Label road race. Since its inception in 2016, the event has grown into one of Africa’s premier long-distance races, attracting elite athletes and thousands of recreational runners while significantly boosting sports tourism and healthy living initiatives.

With WAARC 2026 and the marathon holding back-to-back, Lagos is positioning itself as a continental hub for strategic dialogue and innovation in road running.

As discussions begin today, stakeholders across Africa will be looking to Lagos not just for competition on the streets, but for ideas and decisions that could shape the future of running and mass participation throughout the continent.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

The event, organised under the auspices of World Athletics in collaboration with Nigeria’s National Sports Commission, will hold on Thursday, February 12 (workshops) and Friday, February 13 (main conference), ahead of the 2026 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon scheduled for February 14.

With the theme, “Reshaping Running and Mass Participation in Africa: Embracing the Global Community,” the conference is expected to draw key stakeholders from across Africa and beyond, including administrators, race organisers, corporate sponsors and global athletics leaders.

A distinguished lineup of speakers has been confirmed, headlined by Kenyan legend Paul Tergat, a former marathon world record holder and ambassador of the Africa Running Conference. Others include Alessio Punzi, Head of Running at World Athletics; Fatma Abdal Amale, Vice President of Kenya Athletics; and Jackson Tuwei, Vice President of World Athletics and President of Athletics Kenya.

Nigeria will also be strongly represented at the event, with Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade; Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna; Managing Director/CEO of Premium Trust Bank Plc, Dr Emmanuel Efe Emienim; and General Coordinator of the Lagos Marathon, Tayo Popoola, all scheduled to speak.

Also on the programme are Nadeem Khan, President of the International Association of Ultra Runners, and Chris Robb, Founder and CEO of RunThrough and Mass Participation World.

Organisers say the conference will feature technical workshops, high-level panel discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions focused on strengthening race organisation, expanding grassroots participation and aligning African road running with global best practices.

With Lagos already established as a major marathon destination in Africa, courtesy of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, the Africa Running Conference 2026 is expected to consolidate Nigeria’s leadership role in the development of mass participation sports on the continent.

Stakeholders believe the gathering will serve as a landmark platform for shaping the next phase of running development in Africa, fostering sustainability, innovation and stronger global integration for the sport.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Tergat, one of Africa’s most celebrated distance runners, will be accompanied by his social media manager, Gloria Tergat, as preparations intensify for the high-profile continental forum.

The World Athletics African Running Conference is expected to attract leading figures in global and African athletics and will serve as a curtain-raiser to this year’s Lagos Marathon, which takes place on Saturday on a newly designed route.

Meanwhile, arrivals have already begun ahead of the conference. Late on Sunday night, Neelkaunt Bhujuu, Technical Director of the Mauritius Athletics Association, became the first of many international delegates expected in Lagos for the event.

Organisers say scores of athletics administrators, technical experts and road-running stakeholders from across Africa and beyond are expected to arrive in the coming days, as Lagos once again positions itself as a hub for road running and athletics development on the continent.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H