Photo Credit: Photo as used by PunchNG.com / World Athletics Ultimate Championship
Visa Hitches Stop Nigeria From Competing in Inaugural Mixed 4x100m Relay in Hungary
Nigeria missed out on a chance to contest the first medal at the maiden World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary, on Friday, after visa problems prevented three athletes from travelling.

The mixed 4x100m relay was the opening medal event of the championship, but Team Nigeria failed to show up on the start line after Miracle Ezechukwu, Favour Ashe and Rosemary Nwankwo were stranded in Nigeria over visa complications.

Concerns had emerged earlier, as a source within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) told reporters on Thursday that at least one athlete was yet to secure a visa, casting doubt on Nigeria’s participation.

The mixed 4x100m relay is making its debut at a global senior track and field championship after being introduced at the World Relays earlier this year. Teams compete in their national colours.

Nigeria had qualified as one of six automatic qualifiers after reaching the final of the event at the World Relays in May with a time of 42.03 seconds. The qualifying quartet of Favour Ashe, Jennifer Chukwuka-Obi, Maria Thompson and National Sports Festival champion Chidera Ezeakor had secured Nigeria’s spot at the lucrative championship.

The other five qualified nations were Canada, Germany, Jamaica, Spain and the United States.

The relay is the only event at the Ultimate Championship that operates a country quota system, allowing only one quartet per nation, unlike individual events.

Despite earning their place on merit, Nigeria’s campaign for a historic medal was cut short off the track by administrative issues.
Source: Punch Newspapers