Team Nigeria Secures Extra Spots for World Relays Amid Mass Withdrawals
Nigeria has been handed a lifeline into next month’s World Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, after massive withdrawals by several nations opened up additional slots in key relay events.
World Athletics confirmed that Nigeria will now compete in the men’s and women’s 4x100m relays as well as the mixed 4x400m relay, filling spaces vacated by countries that either withdrew or declined their invitations.
Nigeria had initially qualified only for the men’s and women’s 4x400m and the mixed 4x100m relay. But with 14 nations pulling out, the Nigerian women’s 4x100m team, ranked 38th after the qualification deadline, gained entry despite being 14 places outside the cutoff.
Their best mark of 44.27 seconds, set at the Islamic Games in Riyadh last November, proved crucial in securing consideration.
The men’s 4x100m team also benefitted, moving up from 33rd place after nine withdrawals. Their 38.98s run at the National Stadium in Gaborone was enough to clinch a lane.
Meanwhile, the mixed 4x400m team needed only three withdrawals to secure their spot.
Athletics observers have praised the National Sports Commission for funding Nigeria’s participation in the Islamic Games and Botswana meets, which ultimately positioned the teams for qualification.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), despite ongoing financial challenges, now has the opportunity to see Nigerian relay squads compete at both the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest and the 2027 World Championships in Beijing.
Competition in Gaborone will serve as a double qualifier. On day one, eight teams in each relay event will secure tickets to Beijing, while an additional four teams will qualify on day two. Six teams in the mixed relays will also earn places at the 2026 Ultimate Championship.
Observers have however warned the AFN from misrepresenting the true picture of the additional spots instead of portraying it as a sign of an imaginary reform that has starved home based athletes of competition.
