Nigeria to Host Trials for Commonwealth Games in 2026

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has set June 20 to 22 for national trials before the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. They also released qualification standards for athletes ahead of the event, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

Athletes from Nigeria and abroad are expected to gather at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos. This event will bring together some of Nigeria’s best athletes before the Commonwealth Games, which will take place from July 23 to August 2, 2026.

The three-day trials will include 32 track and field events for men and women. Participation in the men’s and women’s 100m, 200m, and 400m will be limited to athletes who hit the qualifying standards set between April and June 2026. Other track and field events will be open to all athletes.

For Nigerian athletes, the qualifying standard for the men’s 100m is 10.60 seconds, while the women’s 100m standard is 11.55 seconds. The qualifying mark for the men’s 200m is 21.85 seconds, and for the women’s event, it is 23.75 seconds. The standards for the men’s and women’s 400m are 48.50 seconds and 54.50 seconds, respectively.

For athletes competing from abroad, the men’s 100m qualifying standard is 10.05 seconds, while the women’s benchmark is 11.17 seconds. The 200m standard for men is set at 20.48 seconds, and for women, it is 22.60 seconds. The qualifying marks for the men’s and women’s 400m are 45.50 seconds and 51.30 seconds, respectively.

“The federation believes the arrangement will ensure that only athletes in top form contest the sprint events while maintaining broad participation across other disciplines,” the AFN said in a statement.

“To further support athletes in their quest for qualification, the federation announced that accommodation will be provided for athletes who have met the required standards during the qualification period. The list of athletes who have reached the specified benchmarks is expected to be released soon.”

AFN President, Tonobok Okowa, praised the National Sports Commission for their continued support of the federation and Nigerian athletes. He noted that this backing has significantly helped in efforts to boost athletics development and improve the performance of elite athletes.