Abeokuta is set to welcome over 900 athletes from across Africa for the 2025 Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) U-18 and U-20 Championships, taking place from July 16 to 20 at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex.
Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, emphasized the significance of the event and Abeokuta’s readiness.
“I can confidently say Abeokuta is ready to host Africa,” he said, expressing gratitude to NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko for stepping in after Algeria withdrew. “We should be grateful to the Chairman of the NSC, Shehu Dikko, for stepping in to host this championship after Algeria pulled out.”
So far, 583 athletes from 30 countries have confirmed participation, with the number expected to rise to 900 as more entries come in.
Olopade highlighted the growing support from the private sector, noting that companies like 7up and MTN have expressed interest in backing the event. He also praised the financial contributions of FIRS and LEDCO.
“It’s worthy to note that in the past seven months, the private sector has contributed over N12 billion to the growth of sports in Nigeria,” he added.
The 2025 edition marks Nigeria’s first time hosting under the current AFN leadership and underscores the country’s growing influence in African athletics. With strong institutional and corporate backing, the championship is poised to be a milestone for youth athletics on the continent.
Speaking further, Olapade reaffirmed that Favour Ofili remains a Nigerian athlete, dispelling recent speculation about her purported switch of allegiance to Turkey.
Olopade—who also serves as Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC)—categorically stated that there is no official confirmation of any nationality change for the elite sprinter.
“Favour Ofili is still representing Nigeria. She wrote to the NSC two months ago, reaffirming her commitment to compete for Nigeria,” Olopade said. When I resumed as DG of NSC I called her personally and she confirmed her allegiance to Nigeria.
The NSC DG further revealed that Ofili is one of 69 athletes who received financial grants from the commission in April 2025, underlining her active participation in national development programs.
“There has been no official communication from any international federation or national body indicating that she has switched allegiance. As far as the NSC is concerned, she remains a Nigerian athlete,” Olopade added.
According to reports, Ofili cited frustration with the Nigerian Athletics Federation, particularly regarding her participation in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the 100m event at the Paris Olympics.
The statement follows widespread reports claiming that multiple-time national champion and international medalist, Favour Ofili, is in the process of switching her allegiance to Turkey—an allegation the National Sports Commission has strongly refuted.
