The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has rescheduled the trials for the World Athletics Championships billed for Oregon, United States of America and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
The trials will now hold between June 24 and 26 in Benin, Edo.
The AFN noted that the move was to accommodate all athletes who have signified interest in the championships and have met the entry standard for the event.
The AFN technical director, Samuel Onikeku, said the move would boost Nigeria’s chances of presenting teams in all five relays at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon.
He said, “The purpose of the championships this year is to select the best legs for the World Athletics Championships and the Commonwealth Games.
“This informed our decision to change the dates for the Nigeria Championships. We have to get our best athletes ready to get the relay tickets.
“As a responsive federation, we have to accommodate athletes who can only arrive this weekend due to flight connections to have a few days of rest.
“Only the women’s 4x100m and the mixed relay teams have qualified for Oregon. The men’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams are yet to qualify as well as the women’s 4x400m relay team.”
He also believes Nigeria would win medals in the women’s 4x100m and the mixed relay teams but would need to improve on their current ranking now to guarantee qualification.
“Nigeria is ranked 16th in both events which means we are occupying the last qualification spot. This does not give us the guarantee we will still be in Oregon in those relay events,” Onikeku said.
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