All Roads Lead to Lagos as Nigerian Athletes Chase Commonwealth Games Places

...AFN declares National Trials Mandatory for Athletes, Set benchmark for sprint 

By Maxwell Kumoye 

The race for places on Team Nigeria to the 2026 Commonwealth Games has officially begun, with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) announcing dates for the national trials that will determine the country's track and field representatives for Glasgow, Scotland.

The highly anticipated trials will hold from June 20 to June 22, 2026, at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) Sports Complex in Lagos, bringing together some of the nation's finest athletes in what promises to be a fiercely contested competition.

For Nigerian athletes dreaming of competing at the Commonwealth Games, the trials represent the most crucial hurdle in the qualification process. 

The AFN has made it clear that participation in the trials is mandatory for any athlete hoping to secure a place on Team Nigeria, making the Lagos event a make-or-break opportunity for established stars and emerging talents alike.

With national pride, international exposure and Commonwealth Games glory at stake, athletes across the country are already intensifying preparations for what is expected to be one of the most competitive national championships in recent years.

The three-day event will feature 32 track and field events for both men and women, providing opportunities for athletes to stake their claims for selection. 

While participation in the men's and women's 100 metres, 200 metres and 400 metres will be restricted to athletes who have achieved the prescribed qualifying standards, all other track and field events will remain open for participation.

The federation believes the arrangement will ensure that only athletes in top form contest the sprint events while maintaining broad participation across other disciplines.

According to the AFN, athletes are expected to arrive in Lagos on Friday, June 19, while departures have been scheduled for Tuesday, June 23.

To further support athletes in their quest for qualification, the federation announced that accommodation will be provided for athletes who have attained the required standards during the qualification period. The list of athletes who have met the stipulated benchmarks is expected to be released in the coming days.

The trials are expected to produce thrilling contests across several events as athletes seek to impress selectors and book their places on the flight to Scotland. With Nigeria traditionally regarded as one of Africa's strongest athletics nations, competition for the available slots is expected to be intense.

AFN President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, has called on athletics stakeholders, enthusiasts and fans across the country to turn out and support the athletes during the championship.

Okowa described the trials as a significant milestone in Nigeria's preparations for the Commonwealth Games and expressed confidence that the event would help identify the country's best talents ahead of Glasgow 2026.

The AFN President also used the opportunity to commend the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) for its continued support of the federation and Nigerian athletes, noting that the backing received has contributed significantly to ongoing efforts aimed at strengthening athletics development and improving elite athlete performance.

As the countdown to Glasgow gathers momentum, attention now shifts to Lagos, where dreams will be realized, ambitions tested and places on Team Nigeria earned. 

For every athlete aspiring to wear the green-and-white colours at the Commonwealth Games, the message from the federation is unmistakable, the road to Glasgow passes through the AFN National Trials