Blessing Okagbare, 12 female athletes to lead Nigeria to Bahamas

13 female athletes will  represent the country at the International Association of Athletics Federations World Relays, the provisional list was released by Athletic Federation of Nigeria on Wednesday.

The competition is scheduled to hold from Saturday to Sunday in Nassau, Bahamas.

Those picked for the 4×100m are Blessing Okagbare, Dominique Duncan, Jennifer Madu, Mercy Ntia-Obong, Peace Uko and Stephanie Kalu.

Patience Okon-George and Praise Idamadudu are to join Okagbare, Duncan, Madu and Ntia-Obong for the 4x200m.

Okon-George will also compete in the 4x400m alongside Folashade Abugan, Jennifer Edobi, Margaret Bamgbose, Omolara Omotosho and Ugonna Ndu.

The 2015 edition Nigeria’s 4x200m women’s squad which comprised Okagbare, Duncan, Regina George and Christy Udoh won gold.

Based on the preliminary entry figures, more than 700 athletes from 42 countries have expressed interest in competing at the Relays.

This was unlike in the inaugural event in 2014 which had 576 athletes, and the 2015 edition which had 669 athletes.

The 2017 programme will consist of five events over four relay disciplines.

These are the 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x400m and 4x800m for both men and women, and a mixed 4x400m which will cap the competition’s second day.

The top eight finishers in the 4x100m and 4x400m for both men and women will earn automatic entry for the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London.