Nigeria’s 4x400m men’s relay team set for action

CGF, NOC hold drug-abuse seminar for schools
The 20th World Athletics Indoor Championships holding in Nanjing, China, may present Nigeria’s 4x400m men’s relay team an opportunity to redeem its image following the disappointment at the Paris 2024 Olympics where the team was disqualified after running a Season’s Best time of two minutes 59.81 seconds in the heat.

At the Paris Olympics, the Nigerian athletes were looking forward to emulating the Los Angeles 1984, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 teams that won bronze, gold and bronze medals respectively in the Games.

The quartet of Emmanuel Ojeli, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Dubem Amene and Chidi Okezie started well and finished Paris 2024 heat two with a season’s best time, but one of the Nigerian runners crossed lanes, which led to the tripping of a South African runner. The spot won by Nigeria was eventually given to South Africa. France later won the race in two minutes 59.53 seconds with Belgium taking the third automatic spot in two minutes 59.84 seconds.

Now, the Nigerian 4x400m men’s relay team has been presented with an opportunity to redeem its image at the indoor meet slated to hold from March 21 to 23 at the newly built Nanjing’s Cube Gymnasium, in the Nanjing Youth Olympic Sports Park, China.

The Director of the National Sports Commission’s Elites Athletes and Podium Board, Yusuf Ali, had earlier told The Guardian that six athletes were being prepared for the China meet.

It was, however, learnt that two other athletes could join the team for the trip to China, bringing the number to eight.

An official of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) also told The Guardian, yesterday, that the team, made up of both home-based and foreign athletes, is receiving adequate preparation for the trip.

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Games Federation and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) are set to organise a sensitisation programme on the negative effects of drug abuse on secondary school students.

The event will be held at the Olympafrica Centre, in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos State, on Monday, March 10, 2025.

According to NOC’s Public Relations Officer, Tony Nezianya, the objective of the programme is to uphold the fundamental values of the Commonwealth by promoting unity, equity and youth empowerment.

“It also aims to raise awareness of key global issues affecting our communities while serving as a strategic platform to address social vices and drive positive societal change,” he said.

On his part, the Secretary-General of the NOC, Tunde Popoola, emphasised that the programme on drug abuse would be used to address one of the social vices plaguing the society.

“It will also promote social interaction among the students, allowing them to meet other students and learn more about activities carried out by CGN,” Popoola stated.

The programme is open to students aged 14 to 17 in both public and private schools.