SPORTS, 30 March 2026 (Agency Report) — Team Nigeria has taken a significant step towards qualifying for the World Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, following a record-breaking performance in the mixed 4x100m relay.
The National Sports Commission, in a statement issued on Sunday by Kola Daniel, Media Adviser to Director-General Bukola Olopade, hailed the team’s remarkable achievement.
Nigeria’s quartet — Chidera Ezeakor, Maria Thompson, James Taiwo Emmanuel, and Obi Chukwuma — stormed to victory at the Lefika International Relays, producing an outstanding time of 41.44 seconds. Their emphatic gold medal run established a new African benchmark in the newly introduced mixed relay event.
The Commission noted that the result has significantly boosted Nigeria’s qualification ranking, moving the team into 12th position and strengthening its contention for the global competition.
Kenya finished second with a strong showing, setting a national record of 41.70 seconds.
