By our reporter 19.6.2026
A good number of Nigerian foreign based athletes may not be available as the Athletics Federation of Nigeria selection trials for the 2026 Commonwealth Games rolls off the blocks on Saturday at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex Lagos.
It was gathered that the athletes some who have been making waves in recent times are still in the US trying to put their travelling documents in order, while for some others flight delays prevented them from reaching Lagos on Friday.
“We have tried all our efforts to see that the athletes get the right visas to travel in and out of the US without any hindrance, but as at Friday we are not so sure we would be having those athletes…we wouldn’t want anyone to travel down and not be able to return to base,” said a track and field official.
“Other athletes who have documents in tact because of bad weather could fly out to reach here on Friday, hopefully, they can make it by Saturday morning.”
That notwithstanding the trials will continue as scheduled and it is left for the AFN to raise a good team that will represent Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games bill to start in late July in Glasgow, Scotland.
The opening day Saturday June 20 will begin with the women’s 5,000m final and men’s discus final before the first-round heats of the men’s and women’s 100m.
The day will also feature the men’s high jump final and the opening heats of the men’s and women’s 400m.
In the afternoon session, attention will shift to the women’s long jump, women’s shot put and the 800m finals for both men and women.
The women’s 100m heats, men’s triple jump final and men’s 5,000m final are also scheduled.