Nigeria’s Athletics Federation (AFN) remains hopeful as the country strives to secure the men’s 4x100m relay ticket in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on the brink of the deadline for qualifications to the Budapest 2023 World Championships.
The nation has already clinched three out of the five relay tickets, with successful qualifications in the women’s 4x100m, 4x400m, and mixed relay categories.
However, the men’s 4x100m team has faced setbacks in their previous attempts in Lome, Togo, and Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.
In the African Region 2 relay event held in Lome, Togo, the men’s 4x100m team displayed impressive performance by clocking 38.72 seconds, moving them a step closer to the qualification spot.
Building on their momentum, they further improved their time to 38.56 seconds during the semifinals at the Deji Tinubu/Lagos Series at Yaba College of Technology.
However, their hopes were dashed in the final event, where they recorded a time of 38.78 seconds.
An official from the AFN cited a technical blunder by the organizers, who shifted the final to a six-hour delay after the semifinals.
This unforeseen change adversely affected the athletes’ performance, and as a result, Nigeria missed the opportunity to secure the 15th spot for the World Championships in Budapest.
Despite the setbacks faced by the men’s 4x100m relay team, the AFN remains optimistic about their chances in Cotonou, where they will make their final attempt at qualification.
With the deadline looming, the team is determined to give their best performance and secure the coveted ticket for the prestigious global event.
Team Nigeria’s success in securing three relay tickets so far showcases the country’s talent and potential in track and field events.
The women’s 4x100m, 4x400m, and mixed relay teams have already proven their mettle and will be aiming to make their mark on the world stage in Budapest.
As the athletics community eagerly awaits the outcome of the Cotonou event, Nigerian fans, and sports enthusiasts are rallying behind the men’s 4x100m relay team, hoping for a stellar performance that will propel them to Budapest.
AFN’s efforts in nurturing and supporting the nation’s athletes highlight their dedication to promoting and advancing the sport of athletics in Nigeria.
