…As Tinubu Rallies Team In Botswana
Nigeria faces a formidable opening challenge at the 8th World Athletics Relays Championship, which begins today at the National Stadium in Gaborone.
The Nigerian team has been drawn against global powerhouses Netherlands and Jamaica in the mixed 4x400m heats, with qualification spots for the 2027 World Championships on the line. A total of 743 athletes from 40 countries are competing at this year’s championship.
According to the official timetable, Nigeria’s mixed 4x400m heat will be one of the early decisive races on Day One. The heat also includes Poland, China, Japan, and Canada. Only the top two teams from each heat, plus the two fastest non-automatic qualifiers, will advance to the final and secure automatic berths for the 2027 World Championships.
The Dutch team enters as a clear favorite with a personal best of 3:07.43 from the Paris 2024 Olympics, one of the fastest times ever recorded. Poland at 3:09.43 and Jamaica at 3:11.06 add to the depth of the field. Nigeria will counter with a personal best of 3:11.99 and a season’s best of 3:16.13.
The mixed 4x400m squad is expected to feature experienced campaigners Chidi Okezie and Patience Okon-George. The men’s pool includes Ezekiel Asuquo, Gafari Badmus, Victor Ime, Samson Nathaniel, and Emmanuel Ojeli. The women’s roster lists Anita Enaruna, Toheebat Jimoh, Taiwo Kudoro, Jecinta Lawrence, and Esther Okon.
Nigeria’s men’s 4x100m team also faces a stern test in heat three. Led by Olympic finalist Enoch Adegoke and Favour Ashe, they will line up against India, Poland, Brazil, China, South Africa, Ghana, and Great Britain and Northern Ireland. GB & NI leads the heat entries with 37.36s, followed by South Africa at 37.57s and Brazil at 37.72s. Nigeria’s best of 37.94s keeps them in contention.
Adegoke, who has a personal best of 9.98s, and Ashe, with 9.94s, will likely be joined by James Emmanuel, Chidera Ezeakor, and Tejire Godwin. Ezeakor, the reigning national champion, clocked 10.15s this season. Defending champions South Africa and Olympic silver medallists headline the opposition.
Ahead of the competition, National Sports Commission Director General Bukola Olopade delivered a message from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the team to compete with pride.
“Athletics have always been one of the most productive sports for our country in terms of empowerment and capacity building,” Olopade told athletes after their final training session. “The relays are a big deal because Nigeria at every major multi-sport competition always looks forward to the relays. This is not just about this relay because it is a qualifier for the World Championship.”
He added: “I want to appeal to you athletes to do this for yourselves, for the country, for your various states and above all, do this for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The President’s words are always very clear: do well and come back to a grateful nation.”
Nigeria is competing across all six relay events in Gaborone. The nation has two previous medals at the World Relays: bronze in 2014 and gold in 2015.
Beyond World Championships spots, places at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship are also at stake, raising the pressure as Nigeria looks to navigate the heats and keep its relay hopes alive on the global stage.
