The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has set its sights on securing qualifying tickets for the World Championships in Tokyo through the upcoming World Relays in China. Technical Director Samuel Onikeku stated that the team’s objective is to challenge for qualification in the relay events.
“We are participating in these four relays because those are the events we are able to challenge for. We just do not want to go and participate in world relays but to qualify for the world championships. These are the best events that we could compete for,” Onikeku said.
Nigeria will compete in four out of six events at the World Relays, including the men’s 4×100m, 4×400m mixed relay, and the newly introduced 4×100m mixed relay. The women’s 4x100m team features top athletes like Tobi Amusan and Favour Ofili.
The relay teams can qualify for the World Championships by securing one of the top 14 places at the World Athletics Relays or by being one of the best-ranked teams at the end of the qualification window. Seven Nigerian athletes have already secured spots in individual events at the World Championships.
The World Relays will take place from May 10 to 11 in China, providing Nigeria with an opportunity to secure qualifying tickets for the World Championships in Tokyo, scheduled for September 13 to 21.
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The World Relays is a crucial event for Nigerian athletes, providing a platform to showcase their skills and secure qualification for the World Championships. With top athletes like Tobi Amusan and Favour Ofili in action, Nigeria’s relay teams are expected to put up a strong performance.
The AFN’s focus on relay events is a strategic move, given the team’s potential in these events. By targeting the top 14 places at the World Athletics Relays or being one of the best-ranked teams, Nigeria can secure qualifying tickets for the World Championships.
With the World Championships scheduled for September 13 to 21 in Tokyo, Nigeria’s athletes have a clear target to work towards. The World Relays in China will provide a valuable opportunity for the team to fine-tune their skills and secure qualification.