Nigeria is not participating in any relay races at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, due to a series of administrative failures. This situation stems from issues that began earlier in the year and have culminated in the country's exclusion from the relay events.
Key Details of the Story:
1. Failure to Qualify: The primary reason for Nigeria's absence in the relay races is their failure to qualify at the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China, a key qualifying event. Nigeria was forced to withdraw from the competition due to visa issues for several of its athletes.
2. Visa Issues:
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) claimed that the Chinese authorities delayed issuing visas to seven of its U.S.-based athletes, despite the federation starting the application process months in advance.
The AFN alleged that the visas were issued on the same day the team was scheduled to arrive, making participation logistically impossible.
The Chinese Embassy, however, refuted these claims, stating that the AFN and Nigeria's National Sports Commission (NSC) were slow and did not meet the required timelines for visa processing.
3. Administrative Malpractice and "Jamboree":
There have been significant accusations of administrative failures within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the National Sports Commission.
A major point of contention is the composition of the Nigerian delegation to the World Championships in Tokyo. Reports indicate that more sports officials and administrators traveled to the event than athletes.
This has led to accusations that officials are prioritizing a "jamboree" or a trip for their own benefit at public expense, rather than focusing on the welfare and success of the athletes.
4. Impact on Athletes:
* The administrative failures have had a severe impact on Nigerian athletes. Many, including world record holder Tobi Amusan, have openly criticized the AFN for its unprofessionalism, including providing substandard and inadequate kits.
The failure to register the relay teams has denied several athletes, such as Alaba Akintola, Itsekiri Itseoritshe, and others, the opportunity to compete at the championships.
In a more drastic case, Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili, who had previously faced administrative errors that cost her Olympic appearances, has switched her nationality to Turkey.
This is part of a wider trend of Nigerian athletes switching allegiances due to neglect and mismanagement by the country's sporting bodies.