Nigeria ends empty-handed at U-20 Athletics World Championships

In Team Nigeria failed to live up to expectations at the 2024 U20 World Athletics Championships in Lima, Peru, mirroring their disappointing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

It also proved to be a tough battleground for the country, which again failed to secure a podium finish despite fielding several promising athletes.

Expectations were high for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, but the country returned from the pool without a medal, despite having entered 88 athletes in 12 sports.

It was Nigeria’s worst performance at the Olympics since London 2012, with key athletes such as Tobi Amusan, Blessing Oborududu, Favour Ofili, Ese Brume and Quadri Aruna failing to perform.

Nigeria’s participation was marred by a slew of controversies that could have been avoided, including athlete selection, the dropping of key coaches, the non-registration of Favour Ofili for the women’s 100 metres, the battle for an equal training grant for home-based athletes and the double equipment saga.

In addition to the controversies mentioned above, the country’s performance in Lima was even more dramatic. All medal hopefuls failed at the first hurdles, a clear sign of the wider problems in Nigerian athletics.

The women’s 4x100m relay team of Justina Eyakpobeyan, Prestina Ochonogor, Favour Onyah and Precious Nzeakor initially finished fifth in their heat, but all hopes were dashed when they were disqualified for a late baton change, ending any chance of reaching the final.

The women’s 4x400m team grew increasingly concerned about abandoning their race and lost the final before the last day of the competition.

The men’s 4×100 meter relay team of Caleb Joshua, Oseiwe Salami, Caleb John and Chidera Ezeakor came close to reaching the final on Friday, but ultimately missed out on the final the following day.

With a season best time of 40.28 seconds they finished third in their heat, just missing out on an automatic qualifying spot. The last spot was lost because their time didn’t put them among the fastest losers.

These failures underscore the ongoing challenges Nigerian athletics faces on the world stage. After the team’s medal-less run at the 2024 Paris Olympics, expectations were high that the young athletes would reverse the trend in Lima.

Instead, Nigeria continues to struggle, with disappointments at two consecutive U-20 World Athletics Championships.

Team Nigeria’s performance in Peru was clear evidence of the need for greater investment in grassroots sports development and better support for young athletes.

The potential is clear, as evidenced by the relay team’s best performance of the season. However, it remains a major challenge to convert this into podium finishes.

The relay teams were Nigeria’s last hope in Lima. Their early elimination meant the end of the country’s participation in the championships, adding up to a list of missed opportunities on the world stage.

The results are a wake-up call for sport administrators, coaches and athletes to re-evaluate their strategies and make necessary adjustments ahead of future competitions.

With the 2024 U20 World Athletics Championships now behind us, Nigeria’s focus shifts to the next generation of athletes.

As the country continues to search for a new global star, the lessons from Lima must be heeded. Only then can Nigeria break free from this cycle of disappointment.