- Nigeria’s World Relays Dream Crushed by Visa Delays.
- AFN Slams China Over Late Visas, Pulls Out of 2025 Relays.
- Top Athletes Left Behind as Nigeria Misses Global Event.
Nigeria have officially withdrawn from the 2025 World Relays in Guangzhou, China.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) blamed delayed visa approvals from Chinese authorities, despite starting applications back in February.
AFN Expresses Deep Regret
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In a statement on Facebook, AFN said:
> “With deep regret, we, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, announce our withdrawal from the World Relays following unacceptable visa delays by Chinese authorities.”
The visa delays made it impossible for athletes to arrive on time.
Long Visa Process, Little Result
AFN began the visa process early, but athletes faced:
Wrong invitation letters
Portal changes
Excessive documentation requests
Late approvals on the travel day
> “Chinese authorities frustrated our participation by claiming they did not have contact with their own Embassy in Washington and Abuja…”
Athletes Affected
The withdrawal crushed months of hard training.
Athletes faced not just emotional disappointment, but also:
Lost qualification chances
Wasted travel plans
Financial loss
Strong Words from AFN President
AFN President Tonobok Okowa said the visa delays were either gross incompetence or deliberate.
> “Our athletes submitted all required documentation… yet were subjected to delays and obstacles that made their participation impossible.”
He called for World Athletics to review host country selection, urging priority for countries with better visa systems.
Also Read: Nigeria Out of World Relays as Embassy Denies Athletes Visa
Nigeria’s Star-Studded Lineup Misses Out
Before the exit, Nigeria planned to compete in four relay events:
Men’s 4×100m
Women’s 4×100m
Mixed 4×400m
New 4×100m mixed relay
Top athletes like Tobi Amusan, Favour Ofili, and others were set to represent the nation.
Bigger Picture: A Global Sports Problem
This incident highlights a major issue in international sports—visa accessibility.
The AFN is now seeking compensation for:
Cancelled bookings
Training losses
Missed qualification chances
What Should Change?
World Athletics needs to prioritize athlete-friendly countries when selecting event hosts.
Clear and consistent visa processes are essential.
Athletes deserve better support and preparation conditions.
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