China Reacts to Visa Delay Claims as Nigerian Athletes Miss World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou

The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has responded to mounting criticism following the failure of Nigeria’s athletics team to participate in the 2025 World Athletics Relays held in Guangzhou. The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) had blamed visa delays by Chinese authorities for the team’s inability to attend the crucial event, which also served as a qualifier for the upcoming Olympic Games.

In an official statement released on Saturday, the Chinese Embassy strongly denied any wrongdoing, stating that it acted promptly once it received the necessary documentation. According to the Embassy, Nigeria’s National Sports Commission only made a formal request for visa assistance on April 24. Furthermore, the complete visa application documents were not submitted to the China Visa Application Centre until May 6.

The Embassy emphasized that despite the tight timeline, it activated an expedited process and issued the visas by May 8. “The Chinese side attached great importance to the matter and provided assistance accordingly,” the statement read. “Visa issuance is a matter of national sovereignty, and while we remain committed to supporting cooperation with Nigeria in all areas—including sports—adequate time must be allowed for proper processing.”

However, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria tells a different story. In multiple press briefings, the AFN claimed it had started the visa process as early as February and had followed all required procedures. Federation officials allege that unexpected delays, last-minute requests for additional documents, and bureaucratic bottlenecks on the Chinese side caused the athletes to miss their flights and, ultimately, the competition.

“We were ready. Our athletes were in top shape and prepared to represent the country. Unfortunately, the visas arrived too late for us to travel and participate,” an AFN representative stated. “It’s a huge setback, especially since the relay event was also a gateway to Olympic qualification.”

The situation has sparked public outcry in Nigeria, with many questioning the coordination between the country’s sports authorities and foreign missions. Social media users and sports analysts have called for better planning, early engagement with host countries, and stronger diplomatic support for athletes representing Nigeria on the global stage.

Despite the controversy, the Chinese Embassy expressed regret over the incident and reiterated its commitment to friendly relations with Nigeria. “China values its longstanding relationship with Nigeria and remains open to future collaboration and exchanges, including in the area of sports development,” the Embassy stated.

Both sides have hinted at the possibility of further dialogue to prevent a recurrence of such issues. There are calls within the Nigerian sports community for a comprehensive review of administrative processes to ensure timely visa applications and better inter-agency coordination ahead of future international competitions.