AFN opens World Relays camp in Lagos News

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has opened a training camp in Lagos for Team Nigeria ahead of the 2026 World Relays Championship in Gaborone, Botswana, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The camp, which began on Monday, will run for one week under the supervision of the federation’s Technical Director, Gabriel Okon, as preparations intensify for the global event scheduled for May 2 and 3.

Okon explained to PUNCH Sports Extra that the camping programme forms part of a phased build-up to the competition, with athletes assembling shortly after the conclusion of the ongoing MTN Champs in Ibadan before travelling to Botswana.

“World relays is on May 2nd and 3rd, after this competition right there in Ibadan, we’re gonna start camping in three days [Monday], people will assemble for the camping to travel to Gaborone for the World Relays,” Okon said.

“Then after that, immediately we settled down in a day or two, then the second phase of the camping will commence in Abuja or Lagos,” he said.

The camp includes athletes selected across the men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams, with notable names such as Enoch Adegoke, Samson Nathaniel and Patience Okon-George among those expected to take part.

The AFN further confirmed that foreign-based athletes are due to join the squad upon arrival in Gaborone.

Nigeria is currently confirmed for three events at the World Relays, including the men’s 4x400m, women’s 4x400m and mixed 4x100m.

However, the federation has indicated its intention to compete in all six relay events, pending final confirmation from World Athletics.

The decision to expand participation reflects a broader effort to strengthen the country’s relay teams and improve qualification prospects ahead of major international competitions like the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest and 2027 World Championship in Beijing.

Final clarity on Nigeria’s full participation is expected when the global governing body releases the official list of entries in the coming days.

The Lagos camp marks the first phase of preparations, with further training expected to continue after the team’s arrival in Botswana as they aim to build momentum ahead of the championship.