In a major setback for Nigerian athletics, Team Nigeria has withdrawn from the 2025 World Athletics Relays scheduled to begin today, May 10, 2025, in Guangzhou, China, citing delays in visa issuance by the Chinese authorities.
The announcement, made by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) on Friday, came just hours before the team was expected to depart for China. The AFN claims that despite submitting all necessary travel documents in good time, the visas for athletes and officials were only granted on the very day of departure far too late to make it to the competition on schedule.
“We regret to announce that Nigeria will not be participating in the World Relays due to unforeseen delays in visa processing. Our athletes were ready, prepared, and eager to compete, but the logistics became impossible to manage,” the AFN stated.
The World Relays serve as a qualifier for the 2025 World Athletics Championships, meaning Nigeria’s absence may now have longer-term implications for relay team qualification and rankings.
China Denies Responsibility
In a swift response, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria denied the allegations, claiming the delay was caused by the late submission of visa applications by Nigerian officials.
“The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria processed the applications as quickly as possible under the circumstances. Claims of deliberate delay are unfounded,” an embassy spokesperson said.
According to the embassy, the AFN submitted the bulk of visa applications just days before the scheduled trip. They argue that they had already expedited processing to support cultural and sports exchange between both nations.
Backlash and Fallout
The diplomatic back-and-forth has drawn attention on social media and among Nigerian sports stakeholders. Critics have questioned the AFN’s preparedness, accusing the body of poor planning and inadequate coordination.
Others have pointed fingers at the Chinese consulate, alleging that bureaucratic red tape and lack of flexibility undermined the efforts of Nigerian athletes who had trained for months.
Meanwhile, the AFN says it will seek compensation for the financial losses incurred in the buildup to the event including costs for training camps, travel arrangements, and athlete preparation.
“Our athletes deserve better. We invested time, energy, and resources to prepare for this global event. We will pursue all avenues to recover our losses,” said a senior AFN official, who requested anonymity.
What’s at Stake
Team Nigeria’s absence means missing out on Olympic and World Championship relay qualification points, affecting their chances of being seeded favorably in future events. It also represents a loss of international exposure for young Nigerian sprinters who were hoping to shine on the world stage.
Broader Implications
This incident highlights growing concerns about sports diplomacy, administrative efficiency, and international cooperation. With Nigeria investing more in athletics as a national brand, the mishap could prompt reforms in how travel and logistics are handled by federations.
Whether the fault lies with the AFN or Chinese officials or both the result remains the same: Nigeria’s elite relay athletes have been sidelined from one of the sport’s biggest global platforms.
