The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has confirmed that Nigerian athletes will not participate in the 2025 World Relays scheduled to take place in Guangzhou, China. The AFN attributed their withdrawal to delays in visa issuance by the Chinese authorities.

In a statement released by the federation, the AFN expressed deep regret over the situation.

“The Athletics Federation of Nigeria announces with deep regret the withdrawal of team Nigeria from the 2025 World Relays in Guangzhou, China, despite visas finally being issued today, far too late for meaningful participation,” the statement reads.

This withdrawal marks another concerning chapter in the relationship between Nigerian athletics and China. Earlier this year, the AFN fielded a significantly reduced team at the World Indoors Championships held in Nanjing, China, in March, also citing visa-related issues.

The AFN blamed this latest setback on the Chinese authorities, alleging undue delays in the visa processing.

“This last-minute issuance, occurring on the very day our team was scheduled to arrive in Guangzhou, renders participation logistically impossible and demonstrates a fundamental failure of the Chinese administrative processes,” the AFN added.

AFN President Tonobok Okowa voiced strong dissatisfaction with the handling of the situation. He suggested that the delays might have been a deliberate attempt to exclude the Nigerian team, emphasising that the AFN had adhered to all necessary protocols well in advance.

“Today’s last-minute visa issuance by Chinese authorities represents a diplomatic failure that has profound sporting consequences,” the AFN president stated.

“Our athletes submitted all required documents in good faith and well in advance, yet were subjected to delays and obstacles that made participation impossible.”

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