Gaborone 2026: Three teenagers make Nigeria’s World Relays Team

Three teenagers and secondary school students, Rosemary Chukwuma, Jecinta Lawrence and Miracle Ezechukwu are part of the 24-man list released by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for the World Athletics Relays scheduled to hold from 2nd to 3rd May in Gaborone, Botswana

The trio are products of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) initiative, an initiative of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and caught national attention as IJA athletes at the National Sports Festival, where they competed against more experienced athletes, before going on to represent Nigeria at the CAA Africa U18/U20 Athletics Championships.

Their rapid progression has now earned them places on one of the country’s biggest athletics stages.

Chukwuma and Ezechukwu have been drafted into the women’s 4x100m relay team and will also feature in the mixed relay squad, while Lawrence has secured a spot in the women’s 4x400m team.

ALSO READ: Mixed 4x100m: Nigeria storms to African record, moves closer to World Relays qualifications

Their selection is widely seen as a reflection to the growing impact of grassroots development programs and the deliberate efforts to integrate young athletes into elite competition early and beyond the excitement surrounding their development, the squad also features established stars such as Enoch Adegoke, Favour Ashe, Patience Okon George, and Chidi Okezie, providing a balance of experience and youthful energy.

“The AFN’s decision signals confidence in the future of Nigerian athletics, as the country heads to Gaborone with a team that not only aims to compete but also to build for the next generation,” a statement from the SA Media, Office of the Director General NSC, Kola Daniel, read.