By Uzor Odigbo
Operation Nigeria men’s 4×100m relay team must qualify for World AthIetics Championship in Budapest starts on Thursday in Asaba with invited foreign relay teams already in Asaba for the showdown.
It has been a herculean task in getting Nigeria’s men’s relay team to qualify after several spirited efforts.
Teams in Asaba for the much-advertised Warri Relays are the Republic of Benin, Team Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Team Edo and other states of the federation also arrived Asaba.
Recall that the Nigerian Team failed to qualify during the Nigerian trials, Lagos DT series Competition, Region 2 Championship in Togo and in Republic of Benin AthIetics Championship where the team mistakingly dropped the baton.
According to the President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Chief Tonobok Okowa, the Warri Relays would definitely bring succour to the team’s qualification largely based on home support and Athletes’ zeal to succeed.
Nigeria’s team is however in high spirits to qualify following unalloyed efforts made by AFN in providing Competitions for their qualifications.
The Nation’s 4×100m relay team has the end of July to qualify, perhaps, the Warri Relays would finally guarantee their qualification.
Most athletics stakeholders have queried the federation’s resolve to force a qualification through all means, while others opined that Nigerians usually depend on relay teams for medals at important world events and this won’t be an exception
