By Ben Efe 21.6.2026
Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s selection trials for the 2026 Commonwealth Games began at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex, Yaba Lagos Sunday without the big name foreign based athletes track and field enthusiasts wanted to see on the starting blocks.
The competition was scheduled to begin on Saturday, but it was shifted a day forward to give room for the foreign based athletes who were unable to travel on schedule to meet up. However, this did not go down well with the home-based athletes who made their feeling known before the start of the events Sunday morning.
AFN president Tonobok Okowa pleaded with the athletes to bear with the extra day inconveniences and wished them a good outing as they chase for team spot for the CWG.
“It has been heck of a time for all the athletes involved so everyone should calm down about the shifting of the competition by a day. Some of the foreign-based were stranded for three days at the Atlanta Airport waiting to fly,” said coach Gabriel Opuana.
They surely missed the morning session where the 100m preliminaries rolled off, the 400m heats were contested. Elite runners like Kanyisola Ajayi, Samuel Ogazi and Ella Onojuvwvwo were not on ground, however, Nicholas Adelaku Fokorede, Divine Oladipupo, Blessing Ogundiran and Adaobi Tabugo were seen around.
Others are Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, Oyesade Oyetayo, 400m runners Chidi Okezie, Esther Elo Joseph and women long jumper Prestina Ochonogor.
“We are looking forward to three days of high performances, because that is what we expected from all the athletes as we begin to prepare for the Commonwealth Games,” said AFN head coach Solomon Aliyu.
