It’s not yet over for Nigeria’s 4x100m relay team, says AFN

A board member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Professor Ken Anugweje is optimistic the nation’s women 4x100m relay team will still qualify for the London 2017 IAAF World Championship holding in August.

The Nigerian ladies could not win a medal at the just concluded IAAF World Relays in Bahamas, but booked a place in London by the virtue of making it to the final of the Women 4x400m event where they finished seventh. The Nigerian quartet of Patience Okon-George, Ugonna Ndu, Jennifer Adaeze Edobi and Margret Bamgbose posted a time of 3:32.94 seconds

But it was a different scenario in the 4x100m relay event, where Team Nigeria could not compete in the B Final after the athletes did not show up for the event on Sunday night.

The country, which fielded a depleted team at the championships also failed to defend the women’s 4x200m relays gold it won two years ago and could also not win a medal in the women’s 4x400m, where Nigeria won a bronze medal in 2015.

Home-based athletes like Sade Abugan, Mercy Ntia-Obong, Omolara Omotosho, Praise Idamadudu and Peace Uko were initially listed on the team but they were dropped on the eve of the competition. Also, Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor, who was expected to lead the squad to Nassau, was absent at the two-day event.

The poor outing not withstanding, Prof. Anugweje says there are still avenues for Nigeria to qualify for the 4x100m relay before the London 2017 IAAF World Championship.
Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, Anugweje stated that kudos should be given to the girls who made the trip, adding that emphases would now be focused on some other meets where Nigeria will register a strong team.

“The athletes who made the trip to the Bahamas were those based in the United States. We will find way to register a stronger team for the 4x100m at different meets so that Nigeria can qualify for the London 2017 World Championship,” he stated.