Chinese Consulate Denies Nigerian Athletes Visa For World Athletics Relays

Nigeria will not be competing in the 2025 World Athletics Relays set to occur in Guangzhou, China, due to visa rejections for seven Nigerian athletes based in the United States. The National Sports Commission (NSC) announced this development on Thursday, May 8, via Kola Daniel, the media aide to Bukola Olopade, the NSC’s director general.

The NSC’s statement revealed that the Chinese consulate in Nigeria declined to grant visas to the athletes, a decision the NSC linked to China’s stringent policies toward the United States. These athletes were crucial to Nigeria’s relay teams, and their inability to travel has forced the nation to withdraw from the competition.

The NSC emphasized that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) adhered to all required protocols and deadlines for participation, noting that funding for the event had been secured as early as February and March. In April, the AFN announced an 18-athlete roster for the relays, featuring star hurdler and world record holder Tobi Amusan, who was expected to compete in the women’s 4x100m relay.

Nigeria’s team was slated to participate in four relay events: the men’s and women’s 4x100m, along with the mixed 4x100m and 4x400m. The relay competition is a qualifying event for the World Athletics Championships in Japan later this year, with the top 14 teams in each event securing automatic qualification.

In light of this setback, the AFN has submitted a petition to World Athletics, urging the organization to grant Nigeria an exemption to qualify for the World Championships due to the exceptional circumstances surrounding their non-participation.

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Nnamdi Okoli