Nigerian sprinter Favour Ashe has announced his decision to switch sporting allegiance from Nigeria to Qatar, marking a significant development in his athletics career and in Nigeria’s sprint landscape.
Ashe, who is currently ranked as Nigeria’s seventh fastest man in history, holds a personal best of 9.94 seconds in the 100 metres. His time places him among an elite group of Nigerian sprinters who have broken the 10-second barrier, a benchmark that defines global sprint competitiveness.
Explaining the decision, Ashe pointed to what he described as poor treatment and a lack of institutional support within Nigerian athletics. He specifically referenced his experience at the 2025 National Sports Festival, where he said he felt neglected by officials responsible for managing the sport.
“Those managing Athletics in Nigeria showed no human feeling,” Ashe stated, expressing disappointment over what he viewed as inadequate care and consideration for athletes.
Beyond that event, Ashe indicated that broader structural challenges influenced his decision. After completing his college career in the United States, he said he no longer had access to the training facilities he previously relied upon. Returning fully to Nigeria, he explained, proved difficult due to limited access to quality tracks and performance infrastructure.
According to Ashe, these constraints made it increasingly challenging to maintain the level of preparation required for elite sprinting. He described the situation as a setback to his career progression.
The sprinter revealed that he has been based in Qatar for the past five months. During that period, he said he was struck by the number of young Nigerian athletes already training in the Gulf nation. He suggested that the growing community of talent could form the foundation of a strong relay programme.
“I am very sure we will form a formidable 4x100m relay team for Qatar,” Ashe said, signalling his ambitions beyond individual competition.
However, the nationality switch is not yet complete. Under World Athletics regulations, athletes who change allegiance are typically required to observe a waiting period. Ashe must serve a three-year period from his last appearance representing Nigeria before he becomes eligible to compete for Qatar. Based on current timelines, he is expected to be eligible after 2027, subject to formal approval by World Athletics.
His decision adds to ongoing conversations about athlete migration, funding structures, and sports administration in Nigeria. As more athletes explore opportunities abroad, questions continue to arise about infrastructure, welfare, and long-term development systems within the country’s athletics framework.
Source: The Guardian
