Team Nigeria will not compete at the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China, Afrosport reports.
Nigeria has been forced to pull out after athletes and officials were denied visas by the Chinese embassy, subsequently jeopardising the relay teams’ hopes of competing at the World Athletics Championships.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), in April, announced an 18-athlete list to represent the country at the event, with Team Nigeria due to partake in the men’s and women’s 4x100m relays as well as mixed 4x100m, and mixed 4x400m events.
The AFN was also reportedly swift in completing and submitting all necessary documentation for the trip weeks ago.
However, reports claimed that due to China’s ongoing policy battle with the United States, seven US-based Nigerian athletes were denied visas by the Chinese authorities, while their home-based teammates were granted access.
This is the latest in a series of visa restriction issues faced by African countries competing in international events.
Meanwhile, the AFN has petitioned World Athletics, requesting for a qualification exemption, pointing towards administrative failure by both the hosts and the athletic governing body to ensure fair access.
This year’s World Relays, the seventh edition of the event, is the first to be held in China and will take place between 10-11 May.
The top 14 countries in each event will secure automatic qualification to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, in September.
