Nigeria’s track and field stars are heading to Gaborone this month with a clear mission to cement their spots for the 2026 World Athletics Relays, Trybal News reports.
The team is scheduled to compete in the Lefika International Relays at the National Stadium in Botswana on March 28, an event that is shaping up to be a vital dress rehearsal for the global championships. This preparatory window is especially significant as the World Relays will be hosted on African soil for the very first time this May. Nigeria joins an increasingly competitive field that already includes heavyweights like South Africa, Poland, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho.
The stakes are particularly high for the relay squads as they look to climb the global rankings and ensure they remain within the top 24 teams worldwide. Nigeria plans to field a full contingent across multiple disciplines, entering teams in the men’s and women’s 4x100m, both 4x400m categories, and the mixed 4x400m relay. While the primary goal for several of these teams is outright qualification, others are focused on fine-tuning their baton exchanges and tactical execution against international opposition before the main event in Gaborone.
One bright spot for the traveling party is the women’s 4x400m squad, which has already done much of the heavy lifting. Following a strong performance at the MTN CHAMPS Athletics Classics in Calabar on March 7, where they clocked a time of 3:31.14, the team climbed to 22nd in the world. That result was enough to displace Mexico from the qualifying bracket, but the athletes know they cannot afford to be complacent. A faster time in Botswana would provide a necessary cushion to prevent being edged back out of the top 24 by rival nations in the coming weeks.
Organizers in Botswana are working around the clock to ensure the facility is ready for the influx of international talent. Lefika Athletics Club secretary, Dineo Basitang, noted that while securing sponsorship has been a hurdle, the level of interest from foreign federations has reached unprecedented levels. The increased participation is expected to create a high-pressure environment that mimics the intensity of a world-class final. Basitang highlighted the significance of the upcoming meet, noting that the expanded field of six confirmed countries marks a major step up from previous years.
Reflecting on the scale of the competition, Basitang expressed confidence that the event would meet the high expectations of the participating nations. “This year’s Lefika Relays will be historic,” Basitang said. The secretary further emphasized the dual purpose of the meet by adding, “For the first time, the number of confirmed countries has increased significantly compared with only two in the last edition. Countries will also use this event as a qualifier and a dry run for the World Relays.”
For the Nigerian athletes, the Lefika Relays offer a perfect opportunity to acclimate to the conditions in Gaborone well ahead of the May 2 start date for the World Relays. Beyond the search for qualifying times, the coaching staff will be closely monitoring individual fitness levels and team chemistry. These races represent the final chance to make adjustments under real competitive pressure, ensuring that the Super Eagles of the track are at their absolute peak when the eyes of the sporting world turn to Botswana this spring.
Would you like me to keep an eye out for the official Nigerian athlete roster once it is released for the Botswana trip?
