National athletics coach Olalekan Soetan has appealed to Nigerians not to condemn sprinter Favour Ashe following his decision to switch international allegiance to Qatar, describing the move as a consequence of long-standing systemic failures in Nigerian sports.
Speaking on the issue, Soetan explained that many athletes are often left without adequate support during critical stages of their careers, making it difficult for them to reach their full potential while representing the country.
“We should not be too quick to judge athletes who decide to switch allegiance,” Soetan said. “In many cases, the system fails them when they need help the most, and they are left to fend for themselves.”
He noted that Ashe’s decision should be seen within the broader context of poor athlete welfare, limited funding, and lack of structured support, stressing that no athlete can endure such conditions indefinitely.
“An athlete can only take so much,” he added. “When there is no structure, no welfare, and no future plan, it becomes difficult to convince them to stay.”
Soetan further argued that nationality switches are not unique to sports, pointing out that many Nigerians in other sectors seek opportunities abroad for better prospects.
“Even politicians seek alternative nationalities for personal advancement,” he said. “So we should not criminalise athletes for doing the same in pursuit of a better career and life.”
He concluded by calling on sports authorities to address the root causes driving athletes away, insisting that with proper care, funding, and long-term planning, Nigeria can retain its best talents and reduce the trend of allegiance switches.
