The 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championship commenced in Nanjing with Nigerian athletes absent due to visa issues, impacting their 10-member team. Key athletes like Ezekiel Nathaniel and Success Umukoro were not listed to compete. Despite organizational challenges, the championship featured exciting races, notably Great Britain’s Jeremiah Azu winning gold in the 60m final.
The 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championship commenced in Nanjing, China, yet Nigerian athletes were noticeably absent from the start lists due to visa complications that have significantly reduced their 10-member team. On the first day of the championship, no Nigerian athletes were listed as set to compete, indicating ongoing issues with entry credentials.
Ezekiel Nathaniel, the new African record holder in the men’s 400m, was not listed among the competitors in the heats, which are crucial to today’s final. Additionally, Success Umukoro, Nigeria’s sole female participant in the 60m event, also appeared absent from the start lists for her heats scheduled today.
Initially, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) announced participation of 10 athletes across six events, including women’s 60m and men’s shot put. Some of the listed athletes comprised Nathaniel, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, and Prestina Ochonogor, with events structured into men’s and women’s categories.
Despite initial hesitations about participating due to a packed NCAA schedule for Nigerian athletes, the AFN made urgent efforts to ensure they could compete. Fans will have to wait until the championship concludes on Sunday to see if Enekwechi takes part in the men’s shot put and 4x400m relay events.
In contrast, the championship witnessed thrilling moments, including Great Britain’s Jeremiah Azu winning gold in the 60m final amid a dramatic race where competitors Eloy Benitez and Ronnie Baker encountered issues. Azu’s time of 6.49 matched his personal best, followed closely by Lachlan Kennedy of Australia and Akani Simbine from South Africa, who earned his first individual global medal.
The absence of Nigerian athletes at the World Athletics Indoor Championship highlights significant organizational challenges, particularly regarding visa procurement. As fans await confirmation of the athletes’ participation, the incident underscores the importance of timely administrative actions for international competitions. Meanwhile, the championship continues to fascinate spectators with unexpected outcomes, like Azu’s victory in the 60m final.
Original Source: punchng.com
