Reports suggest Nigerian sprint sensation Favour Ashe may have switched allegiance to Qatar, with the development intensifying concerns about a looming athlete drain.
News of the 23-year-old’s alleged move surfaced days after he praised Qatar’s South Africa training camp. If confirmed, Ashe would follow Favour Ofili, who reportedly initiated a transfer in 2025.
He is believed to have spent five months in Qatar after a difficult 2025 campaign. He notably suffered disqualification in the 100m final at the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta.
“The Qatar federation is taking us to South Africa to begin our season there. This is something Nigeria will never do,” Ashe was quoted as saying by The Guardian Nigeria.
“There are many young Nigerians in the Qatari team training for the Olympics and they are well catered for.
“Those who have the opportunity to leave are not looking back; soon Nigeria will be hit by an exodus of athletes. Some are even ready to run for other African countries that can offer them good compensation and opportunities to compete all year round in events that appeal to them.”
AFN reacts as World Athletics rules outline three-year waiting period
Meanwhile, Tonobok Okowa, president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, denied receiving official notice.
“I don’t know either. I just saw the news as well, but we will investigate that beginning tomorrow (Monday),” Okowa told THE PUNCH.
According to World Athletics regulations, any approved transfer requires a three-year waiting period.
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“It should be noted that, should the application be successful, there is a standard three-year waiting period before an athlete can represent their new member federation,” World Athletics told The PUNCH during a previous inquiry.
“We remain committed to ensuring that all transfers of allegiance are conducted fairly, transparently and in the best interests of the sport.”
Ashe’s credentials remain undeniable. He clocked a wind-assisted 9.79s in 2022, then posted 9.96s in 2023.In 2024, he ran 9.94s and became the first Nigerian with five sub-10 runs across three straight years. He later finished runner-up at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Tags: Favour Ashe, Qatar, AFN, Athletics Federation of Nigeria, NCAA Championships, Eugene, Oregon, Tonobok Okowa, National Sports Festival, Abeokuta.
