July 16, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s female relay team has earned a spot in the upcoming World Championships in Budapest following an impressive performance at the Deji Tinubu/Lagos Athletics Series in Lagos.
The quartet of Omolara Omotosho, Patience Okon-George, Ella Onojuvwevwo, and Imaobong Uko achieved a Season’s Best time of 3:27.60s in the 4×400-metre event, securing a 14th place in the world rankings. The Nigerian women demonstrated exceptional coordination and flawless baton exchanges, surpassing Team Ghana, who settled for fourth place.
On the other hand, the men’s relay team, consisting of Dubem Nwachukwu, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Samuel Ogazi, and Chidi Okezie, narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 4x400m event. Despite their impressive Season’s Best time of 3:02.64 seconds, which allowed them to fend off both Ghana and the Benin Republic, they fell just short of the top 16 required for qualification.
The disappointment was further amplified by Chidi Okezie’s reported injury, as he is a crucial member of the Nigerian quartet. His absence will be a setback to their chances.
However, Athletics Federation of Nigeria officials are currently working towards securing another opportunity for the men’s team to compete in an upcoming international meet, which will serve as a final chance to meet the qualification standard.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
