Nigeria’s participation in the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships is impacted by visa issues, reducing the number of athletes from ten to five. Athletes like Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and Ezekiel Nathaniel were initially listed. The event will showcase 576 athletes from 127 countries, including many defending champions and Olympic medalists.
Nigeria’s participation in the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, is significantly impacted due to visa issues. Originally, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) had registered ten athletes, but this number has now been reduced to five.
The athletes initially listed include prominent competitors such as shot putter Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and African 400m indoor record holder Ezekiel Nathaniel, among others. The final roster consists of five athletes who will compete in events like the women’s 60m and high jump, along with the men’s 4x400m relay.
Despite some athletes arriving in China, delays in visa processing have hindered others from participating. Reports indicate that the AFN worked intensively to ensure the athletes could still attend this international event. An anonymous athlete revealed, “They requested for our passports some three or four weeks ago for visa processing and all of that.”
The World Athletics Indoor Championships will host 576 athletes from 127 countries, including 11 defending champions and 20 Olympic medalists. Notable participants include world record holders such as Mondo Duplantis and Grant Holloway, showcasing top-tier athletic talent.
Additional standout competitors include Olympic champions like Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Jakob Ingebrigtsen, alongside prominent local athletes from China, enhancing the championship’s competitive environment.
With events taking place from March 21-23, the competition promises to feature high-caliber performances from both current champions and rising stars, despite Nigeria’s reduced representation.
Nigeria’s participation at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing is heavily affected by visa complications, leading to a reduction in registered athletes. While elite athletes are competing, the travel issues illustrate the challenges faced by teams in international athletics. The high-profile event will still see substantial global representation, featuring numerous current and former champions.
Original Source: punchng.com
