The 2026 Commonwealth Games national trials commenced on a flying note at the Yabatech Sports Complex in Lagos, drawing a host of Nigerian star athletes from home and abroad. After a one-day postponement, the Technical Committee of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) jettisoned earlier qualifying standards, opening events to all registered athletes for the trials.
Top Athletes and Officials Grace the Event
The Yabatech Sports Complex was agog with elite Nigerian athletes, both domestic and foreign-based, as well as top athletics and sports administrators. Among the dignitaries present were the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Chief Bukola Olopade; AFN President, Chief Tonobok Okowa; former AFN President, Solomon Ogba; and AFN 1st Vice President, Abubakar Ladan Zurmi.
Leading the pack of US-based athletes were Olympian Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, Chidi Okezie, Adekalu Fakorede, Divine Oladipupo, Blessing Ogundinran, Adaobi Tabugbo, and Oyesade Oyetayo. Other foreign-based athletes gracing the track and field included James Emmanuel, Prestina Ochonogor, Favour Ashe, Nyenuchi Okemgbo, Olajide Olayinka, Tyler Johnson, Elo Esther Joseph, and Victory Achakpokri.
Nigerian-Based Stars Shine
Nigerian-based athletes at the trials included national 100m champion Chidera Ezeakor, Olympian Enoch Adegoke, Tejiri Godwin, Miracle Ezechukwu, Maria Thompson, Rosemary Chigozie, quarter-milers Emmanuel Ojeli, Nathaniel Samson, Sikiru Adeyemi, and Patience Okon-George.
AFN President Urges Fair Competition
In his remarks, AFN President Chief Tonobok Okowa commended both young and elite athletes across various events who have enjoyed an outstanding season so far. He stated that the AFN Board is striving hard, in close collaboration with the leadership of the National Sports Commission, to make the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow the most successful outing for Nigeria. He urged athletes to compete fairly at the trials, expressing hope to see new records and personal bests in various events.
The AFN received over one thousand entries for the 2026 National Trials, held between 21st and 23rd June 2026 at the Yabatech Sports Complex, Yaba, Lagos.
