Kiin360 Blog Sports Nigeria’s Absence at World Athletics Relays Jeopardizes Tokyo World Championships Hopes
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Nigeria’s Absence at World Athletics Relays Jeopardizes Tokyo World Championships Hopes

Team Nigeria’s failure to participate in the recently concluded World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China, has dealt a major blow to the country’s prospects of qualifying for the relay events at the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

The prestigious relay meet, which serves as the primary qualification pathway for the World Championships, saw top nations compete fiercely across various relay disciplines. However, Nigeria was conspicuously absent from the track, raising concerns among stakeholders and athletics enthusiasts about the country’s preparedness and commitment to international competition.

Sources within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) attributed the no-show to logistical setbacks and inadequate planning, issues that have plagued the nation’s sports administration in recent years. The absence means Nigeria missed a critical opportunity to secure automatic qualification slots for relay events such as the men’s and women’s 4x100m, 4x400m, and mixed relays.

Athletics analysts say the implications are severe, as the window for qualification is rapidly closing. Without strong performances in other sanctioned international meets before the cutoff date, Nigeria risks missing out entirely on relay participation at the Tokyo World Championships, an outcome that would mark a sharp decline from previous showings on the global stage.

The development has sparked outrage among athletes and coaches, many of whom had been preparing for months in anticipation of the relay championships. Some athletes reportedly trained at personal expense, only to be sidelined due to administrative failures.

“This isn’t just a missed race, it’s a missed opportunity to represent the country, improve world rankings, and build momentum ahead of the Olympics,” lamented one senior athlete who asked not to be named.

In past editions, Nigeria has consistently fielded competitive relay teams, often making the finals and, at times, medalling at both World Championships and Olympic Games. The latest setback has therefore raised urgent calls for reform, transparency, and better funding structures within Nigeria’s athletics governance.

As the clock ticks toward Tokyo 2025, all eyes will be on the Athletics Federation and the Ministry of Sports to see whether remedial steps will be taken to salvage what remains of Nigeria’s qualification hopes.

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