Nigeria Competes in Lefika Relays for World Ticket

Nigeria is set to compete in the Lefika International Relays in Botswana on March 28, aiming to secure a spot in the 2026 World Athletics Relays. The event will take place at the National Stadium and will serve as a preparatory platform for the World Relays, which will be hosted in Gaborone from May 2-3, marking the first time the competition will be held on African soil.

Six countries, including Poland, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and host Botswana, have confirmed their participation. Nigeria will field athletes in multiple events, including the women's and men's 4x100m relays, the 4x400m relays, and the mixed 4x400m relay.

The Nigerian women's 4x400m squad has already secured its place at the World Relays with a time of 3:31.14 at the MTN Championship in Calabar on March 7, lifting them to the 22nd world rank. Dineo Basitang, the secretary of Lefika Athletic Club, noted the challenges posed by limited sponsorship but emphasized the importance of the event for athlete preparation and competition assessment.