By Amaechi Agbo
Confident Team Nigeria’s athletics squad is set for another crucial test as they compete at the Botswana National Trials scheduled from April 3 to 5, with eyes firmly fixed on boosting their qualification tally for the upcoming World Athletics Relays 2026.
Already, Nigeria has secured spots in four relay events, the women’s 4x100m, women’s 4x400m, mixed 4x100m, and men’s 4x400m but the mission in Botswana is clear, add more tickets and fine-tune combinations ahead of the global showdown in May.
Under the watchful eye of AFN Technical Director Gabriel Okon, the team has been in high spirits in training camp, with athletes sharpening their baton exchanges and race strategies for what promises to be a fiercely competitive outing.
While Nigeria chases qualification goals, host nation Botswana is gearing up for a spectacle of its own as the Botswana Athletics National Championships take center stage at the National Stadium.
The event will double as the country’s final selection trial for the relays, raising the stakes for home athletes.
All eyes will be on Botswana’s formidable men’s 4x400m relay squad led by sprint sensation Letsile Tebogo, alongside Bayapo Ndori and Collen Kebinatshipi, as they look to lay down a marker on home soil.
Middle-distance stars Tshepiso Masalela and Kemorena Tisang are also expected to light up the track, while the women’s field featuring Same Mohutsiwa and Naledi Monthe promises fireworks.
Botswana Athletics Association acting president Oabona Theetso has expressed confidence that this year’s championships will deliver top-class performances, noting that improved scheduling has allowed elite athletes to compete without clashes from European meets.
With both nations bringing firepower to the track, the Botswana trials are shaping up to be more than just a selection event, it’s a dress rehearsal for relay glory, and Team Nigeria will be looking to leave with momentum, confidence, and possibly more tickets punched for the world stage.
