Nigeria’s participation in the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships has faced a setback due to visa issues, resulting in a reduction of registered athletes from ten to five. The championships will feature diverse talent from 127 nations, but delays in Nigeria’s visa processing have adversely impacted its athletics delegation.
Nigeria’s participation in the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, has been adversely affected by visa complications, resulting in a reduction of registered athletes by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). The championships are scheduled to occur from March 21 to March 23, 2025. Initially, ten Nigerian athletes were scheduled to attend, but this number has now decreased to five due to processing delays.
The originally listed athletes comprised notable figures such as shot put thrower Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, the African 400m indoor record holder Ezekiel Nathaniel, Chidi Okezie, Temitope Adeshina, Paris Olympics finalist Prestina Ochonogor, Ediddiong Udo, James Onwuka, Ifeanyi Ojeli, Success Umukoro, and Joshua Caleb. The Nigerian contingent included eight male and two female athletes who were set to compete in events such as women’s 60m, high jump, long jump, 400m, shot put, and the men’s 4x400m relay.
While some Nigerian athletes have successfully arrived in China for the competition, others have been hindered from joining due to delays in their visa processing. The AFN previously considered withdrawing Nigeria from the event because of scheduling conflicts faced by many athletes participating in the NCAA. An athlete currently in China shared insights regarding the visa request timeline, stating, “They requested for our passports some three or four weeks ago for visa processing and all of that.” He elaborated that the timing discrepancies in passport submissions contributed to the issue.
The World Athletics Indoor Championships are expected to feature 576 athletes representing 127 countries, including 11 defending champions and 20 medalists from the Paris 2024 Olympics. The competitors will consist of 264 women and 312 men. Legendary athletes, such as world record holders Mondo Duplantis in pole vault, Grant Holloway in 60m hurdles, and Olympic champions like Jakob Ingebrigtsen, are among those confirmed to compete in the event, which boasts a rich history of elite competition and athletic excellence.
In addition to international competitors, notable local athletes include China’s Olympic and two-time world shot put champion Gong Lijiao, alongside two-time global triple jump medallist Zhu Yaming.
In conclusion, Nigeria’s readiness for the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships has been significantly compromised by visa issues, resulting in a diminished athlete presence. This situation not only affects individual competitors but also reflects broader organizational challenges within the AFN. The event itself promises to be a showcase of top-tier global athletic talent, underscoring the importance of logistical preparedness for international competitions.
Original Source: punchng.com
