Visa issues have significantly impacted Team Nigeria’s athletes for the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championship in Nanjing, reducing their number from ten to five. The event benefits from the participation of numerous world champions and Olympic medalists, emphasizing its competitive stature.
Nigeria’s participation in the upcoming 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championship in Nanjing, China, has faced significant challenges due to visa processing issues. Originally, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria listed ten athletes but has now reduced that number to five, impacting the team’s ability to compete effectively.
The event is scheduled from March 21 to March 23, drawing a diverse pool of 576 athletes from 127 countries, including eleven defending champions and twenty Olympic medalists from Paris 2024. Among the initial athletes listed were notable competitors such as shot putter Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and African 400m indoor record holder Ezekiel Nathaniel.
The roster featured a mix of eight male and two female athletes, focusing on key events like the women’s 60m, high jump, long jump, and men’s 4x400m relay. While some athletes have successfully arrived in China, delays in visa processing have excluded others from participation.
An anonymous athlete shared insights into the visa troubles, stating that there was a delay in passport submissions, leading to some athletes being left behind. The Athletics Federation of Nigeria had initially contemplated withdrawing from this Championship due to conflicting schedules with NCAA events but ultimately decided to participate despite the visa complications.
World Athletics confirmed the presence of numerous defending champions, such as Mondo Duplantis and Grant Holloway, who have continued to excel since the last edition in Glasgow. Participants will also include notable Olympic champions like Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Jakob Ingebrigtsen, alongside local stars such as Gong Lijiao and Zhu Yaming, highlighting the prestigious nature of this year’s competition.
In summary, the visa complications have drastically reduced Nigeria’s representation at the World Athletics Indoor Championship in Nanjing. Despite these setbacks, the event remains a grand occasion featuring many world-class athletes and defending champions. Efforts by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria to mitigate visa issues and secure participation reflect their commitment to showcasing Nigeria’s talent on the global stage.
Original Source: punchng.com
