Glasgow 2026: AFN Sets June Trials as Athletes Battle for Commonwealth Games Tickets
Oru Leonard
Nigeria’s quest for athletics glory at the 2026 Commonwealth Games has entered a decisive phase as the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) announced that its national trials will hold from June 20 to 22 at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) Sports Complex in Lagos.
The championship, which serves as the official selection event for Team Nigeria ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, is expected to attract the country’s leading track and field stars as well as emerging talents seeking to earn national team spots.
The AFN emphasized that participation in the trials is compulsory for all athletes hoping to represent Nigeria at the Games, describing the event as a critical step in the country’s preparations for the international competition.
According to the federation, athletes will compete in 32 track and field events across both men’s and women’s categories. However, entry into the highly competitive 100m, 200m and 400m events will be limited to athletes who have met the federation’s prescribed qualification standards.
The move, AFN officials said, is aimed at ensuring high-quality competition in the sprint events while maintaining broad participation in other disciplines.
Athletes are expected to arrive in Lagos on June 19, with departures scheduled for June 23. The federation also announced that accommodation will be provided for athletes who have attained the required qualification marks during the designated qualification period.
AFN President, Tonobok Okowa, described the trials as a major milestone in Nigeria’s build-up to Glasgow 2026, expressing confidence that the competition would help identify the country’s strongest athletes for the Commonwealth Games.
He urged athletics stakeholders, coaches, supporters and fans to rally behind the athletes during the championship, noting that the event would showcase some of Nigeria’s finest sporting talents.
Okowa also commended the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) for its continued support of athletics development in the country, saying the collaboration has strengthened efforts to improve elite athlete performance and expand opportunities for Nigerian competitors.
With national pride and Commonwealth Games qualification on the line, attention now turns to Lagos, where athletes will battle for the coveted opportunity to wear Nigeria’s colours on one of the biggest stages in international sport.
The federation is expected to release the list of athletes who have achieved the required qualification standards in the coming days as preparations intensify for what promises to be a highly competitive championship.
