Team Nigeria to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships will depart the country for Beijing on Aug.18.

The Technical Director, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Omatseye Nesiama said on Wednesday.

The Championships is scheduled for Aug. 22 to Aug. 30 in Beijing, and 14 women and three men would jostle for laurels on behalf of the country at the event.

Reacting on why only 17 athletes would be representing the nation, Nesiama said the AFN chose only athletes they felt had medal potentials.

“We decided to send a more compact team in order not to just go for a jamboree. In addition, we wanted the athletes that have more potential to win laurels mainly at the AAG to avoid distraction of the World Championships and concentrate more on the Games,” he said.

He added that serious consideration was made on the athletes’ current form especially in the individual events.