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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Sports

Team Nigeria suffer Chukwuma, Ogundiran setbacks

From The Punch · (4m ago) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Nigerian sprinters Rosemary Chukwuma and Blessing Ogundiran are at risk of missing the World Relays 2026 due to passport and testing delays.
  • Chukwuma's travel was hindered by a late passport return from an embassy, while Ogundiran awaits the results of an SRY gene test required by World Athletics.
  • Their potential absence is a significant blow to Nigeria's women's 4x100m and mixed 4x100m relay teams, with alternative athletes named for the events.

Team Nigeria faces a significant setback ahead of the World Relays 2026, with two of its key sprinters, Rosemary Chukwuma and Blessing Ogundiran, potentially missing the competition due to administrative and regulatory hurdles. The event, scheduled for May 2-3 in Gaborone, Botswana, is crucial for relay teams aiming for global recognition and qualification opportunities.

The circumstances preventing their participation are beyond the athletes' control. Rosemary Chukwuma's travel plans were disrupted by a delayed passport return from an embassy, a frustrating logistical issue that often plagues international travel. Blessing Ogundiran, meanwhile, is caught in the complex process of undergoing an SRY gene test, a requirement mandated by World Athletics for biological sex verification, the results of which are not expected before the competition begins.

At the moment, both Rosemary Chukwuma and Blessing Ogundiran are out of the World Relays for Nigeria. Before we try to apportion blame, it was due to circumstances beyond everyone’s control — not that the athletes didn’t want to come, or that the federation didn’t try to get them here.

— Christopher MaduewesiReporting on the athletes' inability to participate and emphasizing that the reasons are beyond their control.

This situation underscores the challenges faced by Nigerian athletes in navigating international sporting regulations and logistical complexities. The absence of Chukwuma, with a season's best of 10.95s, and Ogundiran, boasting a personal best of 10.98s, represents a considerable loss for Nigeria's chances in the women's and mixed 4x100m relays. While efforts are reportedly being made to expedite Chukwuma's arrival, the Nigerian contingent must prepare to compete without their top sprinters, relying on the remaining squad members to deliver.

For Ogundiran, her SRY sample was just collected and won’t be ready before the start of the competition. While for Chukwuma, her passport was returned quite late from an embassy, which made it difficult for her to travel on time. However, it seems the AFN and NSC are making efforts to still get her to Gaborone.

— Christopher MaduewesiDetailing the specific reasons for each athlete's potential absence and ongoing efforts to resolve the issues.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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