Team Nigeria departs for Lefika Relays, eyes World Championship Qualifications

Team Nigeria departs for Lefika Relays, eyes World Championship Qualifications

Team Nigeria will depart on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, for the Lefika International Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, as the country intensifies its push for qualifications to the World Relay Championships later this year.

The contingent will be airlifted by Ethiopian Airlines, with a scheduled stopover in Addis Ababa before arriving in Gaborone on March 26th.

Nigeria will compete in four events at the competition, the men’s 4x100m and 4x100m mixed, men’s 4x400m, as well as the mixed 4x400m relays, with a clear objective of securing qualification spots for the World Relay Championships slated for May, also in Gaborone.

Notably, the women’s 4x100m and the women's 4x400m relay teams have already sealed their qualification for the global event, leaving the remaining squads to battle for available slots.

Leading the Nigerian delegation are top officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, including President Tonobok Okowa, Secretary General, Isreal Inwang, and Technical Director, Gabriel Okon.

The team boasts a blend of youth and experience, with athletes such as Enaruna Anita Itohan, Badmus Gafari Atanda, Ezeakor Chidera, Emmanuel James Taiwo, Ojeli Ifeanyi Emmanuel, and George Patience Okon expected to play key roles.

Others on the roster include, Nathaniel Samson, Adeyemi Sikiru Adewale, Sampson Victor Ime, Godwin Tejiri, Andrew Jecinter Lawrence, Chukwuka Obi Jennifer, and Omokwe Maria Thompson.

The team has been perfecting their strategy and baton exchange over the last six weeks in Asaba, Delta State.

With a balanced squad and strong administrative backing from the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Team Nigeria will be aiming to make a significant impact in Gaborone as they continue their build-up to the World Relay Championships.