RismadarVoice Reporters, May 5, 2026
Against early doubts and a difficult opening, a youthful and largely home-based Nigerian squad delivered a stirring turnaround at the World Athletics Relays Championship in Gaborone, securing qualification spots and restoring confidence in the country’s emerging athletics talent.
The team, competing at the global championship under the banner of World Athletics Relays Championship 2026, recovered strongly after a shaky start that had initially drawn criticism from observers and analysts. What followed, however, was a composed and determined performance that earned Nigeria automatic qualification to the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship 2026 scheduled for September in Budapest.
Nigeria also secured additional qualification slots in the 4×100m women’s relay and the 4×400m mixed relay events, marking one of its most productive relay outings in recent years.
Central to the team’s resurgence were athletes Maria Thompson and Chidera Ezeakor, who both reflected on the group’s response to early setbacks. Thompson said the squad, made up largely of home-based athletes, refused to be discouraged by its opening performances, instead choosing to regroup and refocus.
She noted that mistakes early in competition became motivation rather than a setback, crediting the team’s unity and determination for the improved results that followed.
Ezeakor, meanwhile, described the experience as both challenging and transformative, highlighting the role of faith, coaching support, and collective belief in the team’s recovery.
He said the championship provided invaluable exposure for the young athletes, calling it an important step in their development on the international stage.
According to him, beyond the medals and qualification spots, their performance in Gaborone has been widely viewed as a statement of potential, particularly from athletes developing within the country’s domestic system.
