Nigerian sprint sensation Favour Ashe has switched his sporting allegiance to Qatar, citing long-standing frustrations with Nigeria’s athletics administration.
The 23-year-old, who won silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and clocked sub-10-second performances five times while competing for the University of Tennessee, confirmed his decision after spending the past five months training in Doha.
Ashe said his move was driven by what he described as inadequate support from Nigerian athletics authorities. He pointed to challenges including deteriorating training facilities, limited access to quality tracks, and administrative lapses that he believes hindered his development.
Among the incidents he referenced was his disqualification at the 2025 National Sports Festival after his competition bib reportedly went missing from his bag — an episode he said underscored systemic issues within the sport’s local structure.
The sprinter now joins a growing list of Nigerian-born athletes representing Qatar, including Sunday Akintan, as the Gulf nation continues to strengthen its athletics programme through foreign talent recruitment.
In Qatar, Ashe is expected to benefit from improved training facilities, international competition exposure, and the opportunity to be part of a formidable relay squad. However, under international transfer rules, he faces a mandatory waiting period of up to three years before he can represent his new country in global competitions — potentially delaying his international debut for Qatar until 2028.
Ashe’s departure adds to ongoing concerns about athlete welfare and administrative support in Nigerian athletics, with stakeholders warning that more top talents could seek opportunities abroad if systemic reforms are not implemented.
