Reports linking Nigerian sprint sensation Favour Ashe with a possible allegiance switch to Qatar have been cast into doubt after World Athletics confirmed no formal application has been submitted.
Earlier this month, speculation gained momentum after claims emerged that the 23-year-old had decided to represent Qatar. This was further fueled by Ashe’s comments about the country’s training facilities in South Africa, which seemed to hint at an imminent move.
However, when contacted, Maggie Durand, Head of Communications at World Athletics, dismissed the reports.
“We can confirm that no application has been received,” Durand stated, quashing the rumors.
Ashe’s Impressive Career
Ashe, who holds a lifetime best of 9.94 seconds in the 100m, is tied for sixth place on Nigeria’s all-time list alongside Davidson Ezinwa. His performance has positioned him as one of Nigeria’s top sprinters, and he is the second high-profile athlete to be linked with a switch of allegiance this year, following 150m world record holder Favour Ofili.
World Athletics Rules and Timeline
Under World Athletics regulations, athletes who transfer their allegiance must wait three years before representing their new federation. World Athletics emphasized that any transfer would require a waiting period.
“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,” they said. “We remain committed to ensuring that all transfers of allegiance are conducted fairly, transparently, and in the best interests of the sport.”
Should Ashe choose to proceed with the switch, his waiting period would likely start from 2025. This could rule him out of competing for Qatar in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, as he participated in the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta in May 2024.
Ashe’s Current Status
While Ashe has been in Qatar for about five months, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has not yet clarified his status. AFN President Tonobok Okowa previously stated that the federation was investigating the matter, but no further updates have been provided at the time of writing.
Despite the uncertainty, Ashe seems to be embracing his time in Qatar. He recently posted a photo of himself wearing the country’s kit and spoke positively about the support structures available to athletes there.
Remarkable Sprint Career
Ashe’s rise in athletics has been rapid. In 2022, he clocked a wind-assisted 9.79 seconds in a 100m heat at the LSU Invitational in Baton Rouge, the fastest time ever by a Nigerian under all conditions. He continued to impress, setting a personal best of 9.96 seconds at the NCAA Championships in June 2023 and later improving to 9.94 seconds at the NCAA East Regional Finals in May 2024.
He went on to finish runner-up in the 100m at the 2024 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, dipping under 10 seconds again with a 9.99-second finish in the final.
Ashe’s performance continues to draw attention, but for now, his future in terms of nationality remains unclear.
This is IDNN. Independent. Digital. Uncompromising.