Team Nigeria’s ambitions for the 2026 World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, have suffered a major blow following news that star sprinters Rosemary Chukwuma and Blessing Ogundiran are unlikely to compete. 

The duo, both based in the United States, have been hit by a combination of administrative delays and testing requirements that have prevented them from joining the national contingent ahead of the weekend’s opening heats.

The absence of Blessing Ogundiran is a particularly sharp sting for the squad; she recently made headlines by shattering records with a world-leading time of 10.98 seconds. Her setback is reportedly linked to the pending results of an SRY gene test, a mandatory requirement that will not be finalized in time for the start of the competition.

Without her explosive start and record-breaking pace, the women’s 4x100m relay team loses one of its most potent weapons.

Similarly, Rosemary Chukwuma, who holds a season’s best of 10.95 seconds, has been sidelined by logistical complications. Reports indicate that a significant delay in the return of her passport from an embassy made it impossible for her to secure travel to Botswana on schedule. While the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) is said to be making last-ditch efforts to facilitate her arrival, the window for her participation is rapidly closing, leaving the relay lineups in a state of flux.

The loss of two sub-11-second sprinters forces a tactical reshuffle for Nigeria’s coaching staff. The burden of the 4x100m and mixed relay events will now fall heavily on the shoulders of the home-based athletes and other international call-ups already in camp. While the squad remains deep with talent, the sudden removal of two top-tier performers creates a significant gap in experience and speed that opponents will undoubtedly look to exploit.

Despite these setbacks, the Nigerian camp in Gaborone is maintaining a focused front. The team is still expected to field competitive entries across all six relay disciplines, relying on the resilience that has historically defined Nigerian track and field.

However, the unexpected administrative hurdles serve as a sobering reminder of the fragile nature of international sports logistics on the road to global championships.