Lagos — Nigeria's 19-man contingent to the 10th World Athletics Championship in Helsinki, Finland departed the country Yesterday.

The team's departure date earlier scheduled for last weekend was postponed due to unavailability of funds.

SportsChampion, however, gathered that the sports ministry has made available N10 million to prosecute the Helsinki trip.

The Nigerian team is expected to feature in the men and women's 4 x 100m, the men's 4 x 400m and the women's shot put events at the 10-day championship.

Meanwhile, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) technical committee chairman has disclosed that four Europe-based members of the team are expected to start arriving in the Finish capital today.

Speaking on Nigeria's chances at the championship, AFN chief coach, Armelia Edet, expressed confidence that the country would make it into the medals zone of some events at the championship scheduled to open this weekend.

"I am optimistic we can get into the medal zone in the men and women's 4x400m relays. We have some athletes who can do well in individual 400m event," Edet told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

"Some quartermilers can post 44-high. They will be able to complement those who can return 46-high," she said.

According to her, the country has not had the benefit of having all the relay teams.

"The real issue in the event is the baton exchange and how fast the team is able to perform. Hopefully, as soon as we arrive in Helsinki, we'd see how much of it we should be able to do together, ahead of commencement of competition."

On Vivian Chukwuemeka, the Commonwealth Games shot put champion, the only field athlete representing the country, Edet said her presence in Helsinki would assist her preparations for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.