Oghenebrume out; Nathaniel, Chukwuma doubtful for World Relays
Godson Oghenebrume will not be among the men’s 4x100m quartet that will be competing to secure a Paris Olympics slot for Nigeria at the World Athletics Relays which hold this weekend in Nassau, Bahama due to visa issues.
Also doubtful due to visa issues is quarter-mile barrier runner, Nathaniel Ezekiel while Rosemary Chukwuma may be absent if her school does not excuse her from the final examination she is due to write later this week and next week.
Oghenebrume, the third fastest Nigerian over the 100m this year after Favour Ashe and Consider Ekanem, was not among the names listed by his American school, Louisiana State University, LSU, as athletes from the school that will be competing for their countries in the Bahamas.
SportsNow gathered that Oghenebrume is going to miss the event because his Visa into the USA has expired and he is in the process of renewing it.
It was also gathered Ashe is having the same problem and this accounted for his non-inclusion in Nigeria’s entry list for the event.
Also likely to miss out is Baylor University undergraduate student, Nathaniel Ezekiel who has been listed to compete in the men’s 4x400m and the 4x400m mixed relay events.
The LSU has however confirmed Favour Ofili, Ella Onojuvwevwo and Tima Godbless will be available to help Nigeria secure the women’s 4x100m, 4x400m and 4x400m mixed relay tickets to the Paris Olympics.
Meanwhile, the home-based contingent made up of athletes, coaches and officials are expected to depart for Bahamas on Wednesday after securing visas at the USA embassy in Nigeria.
Some of the athletes are Yinka Olajide, Elo Joseph, Patience Okon George, Ekanem Consider, Ifeanyi Ojeli and Sikiru Adeyemi. The coaches will be led by Gabriel Okon and Endurance Ojokolo. The athletes are flying to the Bahamas from the USA.
The top 14 teams in each event at the World Athletics Relays will automatically qualify for places at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The remaining two places in each discipline will be awarded based on top lists during the qualification period (December 31, 2022 to June 30, 2024).
The meet features five relay events: the women’s 4x100m and 4x400m, the men’s 4x100m and 4x400m and the mixed 4x400m.
