President Bola Tinubu has charged the Nigerian Relay team to make the country proud as they compete in the 8th edition of the World Athletics Relays Championship, which begins today at the National Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana.

The game will feature 743 athletes from 40 countries in attendance.

In a statement by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chairman Media Committee, Maxwell Kumoye, on Saturday, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, delivered a message of support from Tinubu, urging Team Nigeria to compete with pride and determination.

Addressing the athletes after their final training session, Olopade stressed the importance of the competition, saying, “Athletics have always been one of the most productive sports for our country in terms of empowerment and capacity building.

“And on a personal level, this particular championship is my fourth World Relay that I am attending, long before I became the NSC DG.”

He further highlighted the significance of the relays within Nigeria’s sporting culture, adding, “The relays are a big deal because Nigeria at every major multi sport competition always looks forward to the relays. As you know this is not just about this relay because it is a qualifier for the World Championship.”

Delivering the President’s message, he charged the athletes to rise to the occasion, saying, “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. And the President’s words are always very clear, do well and come back to a grateful nation.”

Team Nigeria faces a stern early test at the Championship as they line up against some of the world’s strongest relay nations across multiple events, with qualification spots for major global championships hanging and stirring them in the face.

According to the official timetable, the mixed 4x400m heats are scheduled for the afternoon session on Day One, placing Nigeria’s race among the early decisive contests of the competition.

Drawn in a loaded heat that includes the Netherlands, Jamaica, Poland, China, Japan, and Canada, Nigeria will need a near-flawless performance to secure progression.

Only the top two teams in each heat, alongside the two fastest non-automatic qualifiers, will advance to the final and seal places at the 2027 World Championships.

The Netherlands arrive as one of the favourites, boasting a personal best of 3:07.43 set at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, one of the fastest times in history, while Poland (3:09.43) and Jamaica (3:11.06) further underline the depth of competition Nigeria must overcome.

Nigeria, with a personal best of 3:11.99 and a season’s best of 3:16.13, will rely on a blend of experience and emerging talent.

The squad is expected to be drawn from athletes such as experienced Chidi Okezie and backed by Ezekiel Asuquo, Gafari Badmus, Victor Ime, Samson Nathaniel, and Emmanuel Ojeli in the men’s roster.

Patience Okon-George is headlining the women’s list that includes young and dynamic Anita Enaruna, Toheebat Jimoh, Taiwo Kudoro, Jecinta Lawrence, and Esther Okon.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s sprint relay team will also be in action in the men’s 4x100m heats, where they face another daunting challenge against top nations.

Led by Enoch Adegoke and Favour Ashe, Nigeria have been drawn in heat three alongside India, Poland, Brazil, China, South Africa, Ghana, Great Britain, and Northern Ireland in what is widely regarded as one of the most competitive races of the opening round.

Based on entry times, Great Britain and Northern Ireland lead the field with 37.36s, followed by South Africa (37.57s) and Brazil (37.72s), while Nigeria’s best of 37.94s keeps them firmly in contention for qualification.

The Nigerian quartet is expected to feature Adegoke and Ashe alongside James Emmanuel, Chidera Ezeakor, and Tejire Godwin must finish among the top two teams in the heat or secure one of the fastest qualifying spots to progress.

Nigeria’s Patience Okon George runs with the baton in the mixed 4x400m relay heat of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on August 2, 2024. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP)

Adegoke, an Olympic finalist with a personal best of 9.98s, brings valuable experience to the team, while Ashe, who has run 9.94s, adds explosive speed. Ezeakor, the reigning national champion, further strengthens the squad following his impressive 10.15s run this season.

Defending champions South Africa and Olympic silver medallists headline the field, while Brazil, China, Ghana, and Poland all present formidable opposition, making qualification far from straightforward.

Beyond the heats, the United States are again expected to set the standard globally, with strong competition also anticipated from Canada and Jamaica.

Meanwhile, Nigeria, competing across all six relay events at this edition, will be aiming to improve on its modest historical record at the championships, having won just two medals and a bronze in 2014 and gold in 2015.

With qualification slots for the 2027 World Championships and the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship also at stake, the mission is daunting, but they have to navigate intimidating heats across events and keep Nigeria’s relay hopes alive on the global stage. (Channels News)

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