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The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria issued a statement on Saturday in response to reports surrounding the withdrawal of Nigerian athletes from the 2025 World Athletics Relays, scheduled to be held in Guangzhou, China, from May 10 to 11, 2025. The Embassy attributed the situation to a misunderstanding related to visa processing timelines, addressing concerns raised by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) regarding delays in obtaining the necessary visas for the athletes.
Reports had initially indicated that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria blamed visa delays by Chinese authorities for the withdrawal of the Nigerian team from the event. The Federation’s statement suggested that the timing of the visa process prevented the athletes from participating in the highly anticipated competition.
In a statement released from its Abuja office, the Chinese Embassy expressed regret over the athletes’ absence from the event. However, the Embassy strongly countered the AFN’s claims, asserting that it had acted with promptness and efficiency upon receiving a request for assistance from Nigeria’s National Sports Commission. The Embassy stressed that it had made every effort to facilitate the visa process, contrary to the suggestions made by the AFN.
The Embassy’s statement detailed the timeline of events to clarify the situation. On April 24, the Chinese Embassy received a formal letter from the National Sports Commission of Nigeria, dated April 22, which requested help in processing visas for the Nigerian athletes. Upon receipt of the request, the Embassy promptly communicated with the Commission, offering guidance on preparing the necessary materials for the visa application. This action was taken in a bid to expedite the processing of the visas.
China Refutes Claims of Visa Delay for Nigerian Relay Team
Subsequently, on May 6, the China Visa Application Centre received the required application materials from the Nigerian athletes. The Embassy moved quickly to activate an expedited procedure, ensuring that the visa applications were processed with the utmost urgency. By May 8, just two days later, the visas for the Nigerian athletes were successfully issued.
Despite the swift actions taken by the Embassy, the Chinese diplomatic mission expressed regret that the athletes could not participate in the event. The Embassy emphasized its unwavering commitment to fostering sports and cultural exchanges between China and Nigeria. It reiterated that the facilitation of visa processes is aligned with international standards, but it also acknowledged that visa issuance remains a matter of national sovereignty. This, the Embassy noted, involves ensuring that applicants submit the proper documentation and allow a reasonable amount of time for the processing of their applications.
The Embassy further pointed out that all embassies, including China’s, require applicants to provide the necessary documentation in accordance with national and international protocols. This ensures that visa applications are processed accurately and without delay. It stressed that while the Chinese Embassy had always worked efficiently and professionally in assisting Nigerian citizens with visa applications, including for athletic events, there were constraints in terms of timing and documentation that needed to be met for a smooth process.
The Chinese Embassy also emphasized that it had consistently supported bilateral cooperation between China and Nigeria in various fields, particularly in sports. It clarified that the Chinese government had, on multiple occasions, expressed its welcome for Nigerian athletes to participate in events in China, offering support and assistance for Nigerian sports delegations. The Embassy expressed hope that this incident would not overshadow the broader, ongoing relationship between the two nations in the sports domain.
While the Embassy acknowledged the disappointment surrounding the withdrawal of Nigerian athletes from the World Athletics Relays, it strongly rejected the claims made by the AFN. The Embassy described these assertions as “inconsistent with the facts,” reiterating that the visa process had been handled swiftly and with professionalism. The Embassy expressed hope that such misunderstandings would be avoided in the future and reaffirmed its commitment to future collaborations between China and Nigeria in the field of sports.
In conclusion, the Chinese Embassy’s statement underlined that the unfortunate non-participation of Nigerian athletes in the 2025 World Athletics Relays was due to a misunderstanding of the visa processing procedures. Despite the setback, the Embassy remains hopeful for continued collaboration in sports and cultural exchanges between the two countries and reaffirmed its dedication to supporting Nigerian athletes in future international events in China.