Visa Complications Affect Nigeria’s Participation in World Indoor…

Nigeria faces a significant setback in its representation at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championship due to visa issues, reducing its athlete roster from ten to five. Initial registration included both male and female athletes set to compete in various events, but delays in visa processing have prevented some from attending. The championship will feature 576 athletes from various countries, including numerous defending champions and Olympic medalists.

Nigeria’s participation in the upcoming 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championship in Nanjing, China, has been significantly reduced due to visa issues. Originally, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) registered ten athletes for the event; however, this number has dropped to five due to complications surrounding visa processing. The championship will occur from March 21st to March 23rd.

The initial list of ten athletes included notable competitors such as shot put thrower Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and new African 400m indoor record holder Ezekiel Nathaniel, among others. The team comprised eight males and two females, with participants set to compete in events such as the women’s 60m, high jump, long jump, and the men’s 4x400m relay. While some athletes have reached China, visa delays have left others unable to join.

Efforts were made by the AFN to ensure the athletes could attend, particularly after considering withdrawing due to the busy schedules of those involved in NCAA competitions. An athlete in China explained the situation, stating, “They requested for our passports some three or four weeks ago for visa processing and all of that. Some passports got to them early and some didn’t make it early enough. That’s why we find ourselves in this situation.”

The championship will feature 576 athletes from 127 countries, including past champions and Olympic medalists. Noteworthy competitors include defending champions Mondo Duplantis and Grant Holloway, alongside Olympic gold medalists Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Yaroslava Mahuchikh. Additionally, prominent Chinese athletes like two-time world shot put champion Gong Lijiao will participate in the events.

In summary, Nigeria’s representation at the World Athletics Indoor Championship has been considerably affected by visa complications, resulting in a reduction of the athlete roster from ten to five. Despite previous efforts to ensure participation amidst scheduling conflicts, visa processing delays have hampered some athletes’ travel. The championship will showcase numerous elite athletes globally, emphasizing the event’s significance on the world stage.

Original Source: punchng.com