Team Nigeria will be departing for the World Athletics Relay Championship in Gaborone, Botswana, with high hopes of securing qualification spots for major global competitions.
The contingent, made up of 24 athletes blending youth and experience, will leave for the Championship today via Ethiopian Airlines, with a scheduled stopover in Addis Ababa before arriving in Gaborone.
The team will compete in all six relay events at the championship, which runs from May 2 to May 3, 2026.
Backing the squad are four coaches led by the Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Gabriel Okon, as preparations intensify for what is expected to be a fiercely competitive outing.
An advance party, headed by AFN Secretary Israel Inwang, had earlier arrived in Botswana on Sunday, following the team’s official photo session ahead of departure.
This year’s World Relays carries added significance, offering qualification pathways to both the World Athletics Championships in Beijing 2027 and the World Athletics Ultimate Championship.
A total of 723 athletes from 40 countries are registered, underscoring the scale of competition.
All six reigning relay champions from 2025 are expected to defend their titles, alongside medal-winning nations from the World Championships and Olympic Games, setting the stage for a high-intensity showdown.
For Nigeria, the focus is to deliver strong relay performances and secure valuable tickets to the next level of global athletics competition.
