Athletics coach and board member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Olalekan Soetan, has defended Team Nigeria’s performance at the recently concluded World Athletics Relays, insisting the country achieved its primary objective despite failing to win medals.
Reflecting on the competition in Gaborone, Botswana, Soetan explained that the main target was qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, alongside improving Nigeria’s world rankings.
“Qualification was the main goal,” he said.
According to the AFN official, securing qualification for three out of six relay teams represented a respectable outcome given the circumstances.
“We achieved something important,” he implied.
Soetan highlighted the fact that the Nigerian squad included several home-based athletes and young competitors who were competing at that level for the first time.
“It was a youthful team,” he noted.
For him, exposing emerging athletes to world-class competition was just as important as chasing medals.
“The experience matters,” he added.
He stressed that while medals are always desiAthletics coach and board member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Olalekan Soetan, has defended Team Nigeria’s performance at the recently concluded World Athleticsrable, long-term development and qualification remain critical priorities for Nigerian athletics.
“You must think beyond immediate results,” he said.
Soetan also expressed confidence that the team will become even stronger at upcoming competitions once more experienced stars return to the squad.
“We can improve further,” he stressed.
The World Relays campaign has generated mixed reactions, but the AFN believes progress was made.
For Soetan, the message is clear.
Focus on development.
Value qualification.
And trust the process.
Because building a successful athletics program requires patience, planning, and consistent exposure at the highest level.
