SportsNigeria’s World Relays ticket quest fails Last updated: 4 April 2026 8:29 am By Breezynews Share 3 Min Read SHARE Team Nigeria’s hopes of securing extended qualification for the 2026 World Relays suffered a significant setback at the Botswana National Trials on Friday, with disappointment in both the men’s and women’s 4x100m relay events.The day began with heartbreak for the Nigerian women. Leading throughout the race, the women’s 4x100m team failed to complete a baton exchange, resulting in a do not finish at the Botswana Athletics National Championship in Gaborone.The mishap extinguished their last opportunity to meet the qualifying standards for the World Relays, leaving the squad with only partial success in other disciplines.The men’s 4x100m team, comprising Enoch Adegoke, Chidera Ezeakor, Tejiri Godwin, and James Emmanuel, delivered a strong performance in the final, crossing the line in 39.15s to beat host nation Botswana in Final A.Despite the victory, the quartet fell short of the 38.73-second benchmark required to make the top 24 in the world rankings, registering only 41st globally.The result also closed the door on Nigeria’s 4x100m World Relays qualification.These setbacks leave Nigeria with qualification in just three of the six relay disciplines.The women’s 4x400m currently rank 22nd globally, having clocked 3:31.14 at the MTN Champs in Calabar on 6 March.The men’s 4x400m sit 23rd after recording 3:02.98 at the Lefika Relays at the National Stadium in Gaborone the previous weekend, a position bolstered by the absence of the United States, who had previously held second place.The mixed 4x100m remains the team’s sole strong position, ranked 12th globally after setting an African record of 41.44s at the National Stadium in Gaborone last weekend.With the Botswana National Championships continuing on Saturday, Nigeria will have no further relay races until the final day on Sunday, when they will make a final attempt in the 4x400m events.This event represents their last realistic opportunity to achieve World Relays qualification.Compounding the challenge, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s decision to withdraw from the Battle on the Bayou meet in the United States meant no relay teams were assembled in Baton Rouge, as well as the Florida and Texas Relays where a flock of their student athletes are competing.Consequently, any Nigerian squad failing to secure qualification at the Botswana National Championships now has no alternative pathway to the World Relays and subsequently the 2027 World Athletics Championship in Beijing.Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X Like this:Like Loading... TAGGED:Team NigeriaWorld Relays Share This Article Email Copy Link Print Previous Article Industry leaders hail Adejumoh’s book, advocate strategic shift in PR practice Next Article Yilwatda, wife visit Plateau attacks’ victims, donate N15m Leave a CommentLeave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment *Name * Email * Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
