By Ben Efe 2.6.2026
Athletics Federation of Nigeria officials said they are in communications with the country’s elite athletes to ensure they participate in the national trials billed for June 20-22 in Lagos.
The trials coming up at the Yaba College of Technology sports complex according to officials will be the yardstick to select the athletes that will represent the country at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
“We have been in contact with all our elite athletes to ensure that they come for the national trials,” said an AFN top official.
“Any athletes who did not show up will not be included in our team, so we are making all efforts to see that those in the USA who have no travel documents put their papers in order so that they can travel and easily go back to their base.”
Nigerian track and field enthusiasts will be expecting to see some of the athletes including Samuel Ogazi, Kanyisola Ajay, Ella Onojuvwevwo, Blessing Ogundiran and others who have been churning out heartwarming performances in the USA.
AFN president Tonobok Okowa urged 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.
Meanwhile coach Gabriel Opuana has commended the AFN for holding the trials in Lagos, according to him, this will make things easier for all the athletes. There were speculations the trials would be held in Asaba or Uyo.