Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) is making a final push to secure qualification for the World Athletics Relays 2026, with a group of Nigerian athletes set to compete in the United States just days before the qualification window closes, Trybal News reports.
The federation has shifted focus from recent setbacks at the World Indoor Championships and is now concentrating on relay qualification and preparations for the Commonwealth Games 2026.
AFN president Tonobok Okowa confirmed the urgency of the situation, stressing that securing relay spots is now the top priority in an exclusive chat with PUNCH Sports Extra.
“That [World Indoors] is not our priority now. Our priority is to try and go and qualify for World Relays and then our Glasgow preparation for the Commonwealth Games.”
Nigeria’s women’s 4x400m team is currently on the edge of qualification, sitting 23rd in the global rankings with only 24 spots available. Their time of 3:31.14, set earlier in the year, initially secured a place but now requires improvement due to increasing global competition.
With the qualification window running until April 5, the upcoming “Battle on the Bayou” meet at the LSU Bernie Moore Stadium in Baton Rouge on April 3 and 4 will serve as a decisive opportunity. The event is expected to feature several Nigerian athletes based in the American collegiate system, whom the federation is relying on to deliver improved times.
“Our women just qualified in 4 by 400 relay. You know you have to be among the 24 countries now before you’ll be allowed to participate. It’s not like it used to be,” Okowa said.
“So, we still want some of our athletes in the US. They admit that they’re going to run there too to try to qualify for the relay, and if it’s possible, we’ll try to better our time. That’s it, we’ll try and qualify before the deadline.”
Before the United States meet, Nigeria will also compete at the Lefika International Relays on March 28, where teams will feature in the men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m events, as well as the mixed relay.
Additional qualification opportunities are expected at the MTN Champs in Jos, giving Nigeria multiple chances to secure relay slots ahead of the deadline.
The World Athletics Relays will take place in Gaborone from May 2 to 3, marking the first time the competition will be hosted on African soil, and Nigeria will be aiming to ensure strong representation across the relay events.
