Team Nigeria is set to depart for the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, carrying strong ambitions of clinching qualification spots for upcoming international championships.
The delegation, comprising 24 athletes with a balanced mix of emerging talents and seasoned performers, is scheduled to travel today, April 27, 2026, aboard Ethiopian Airlines. The journey will include a transit in Addis Ababa before the team’s arrival in Gaborone.
Nigeria will participate in all six relay disciplines at the competition, which is slated to take place from May 2 to May 3, 2026.
Providing technical support to the squad is a coaching crew of four, led by the Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Gabriel Okon. The team has intensified preparations ahead of what is anticipated to be a highly competitive championship.
Meanwhile, an advance delegation, led by AFN Secretary Israel Inwang, had earlier arrived in Botswana on Sunday, following the team’s official pre-departure photo session.
The 2026 edition of the World Relays is particularly crucial, as it serves as a qualification platform for the World Athletics Championships Beijing 2027 as well as the World Athletics Ultimate Championship.
A total of 723 athletes representing 40 countries are expected to compete, highlighting the magnitude of the event. Defending champions from the 2025 edition, along with top-performing nations from recent World Championships and Olympic Games, are all set to feature.
Nigeria’s primary objective remains clear, deliver standout relay performances and secure qualification for the next stage of elite global athletics competition.
