The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has released the schedule for the 2026 Commonwealth Games National Trials, with the competition set to take place in Lagos from June 20 to June 22.
The three-day championship will serve as the decisive platform for selecting athletes who will represent Nigeria at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Friday, AFN Head of Media, Maxwell Kumoye, said the trials would be the final opportunity for athletes seeking qualification and selection for the prestigious multi-sport event.
According to him, Nigeria’s top track and field stars, alongside promising emerging talents, will compete in a wide range of events, including sprints, middle-distance races, long-distance contests and field disciplines.
The competition opens on Saturday with the women’s 5,000m final and the men’s discus final. The day will also feature the preliminary rounds of the men’s and women’s 100m events.
Kumoye noted that the men’s high jump final and the opening heats of the 400m races would also take centre stage.
“The opening day will also feature the men’s high jump final and the opening heats,” he said.
Other attractions on the first day include the women’s long jump and shot put finals, as well as the men’s and women’s 800m finals.
“The women’s 100m heats, men’s triple jump final and men’s 5,000m final are scheduled,” Kumoye said.
Action on the second day will begin with the men’s and women’s 10,000m race walk events. Athletes will also compete in the women’s javelin and triple jump finals, while the men’s and women’s hammer throw finals are expected to draw attention.
Track events scheduled for Day Two include the heats of the men’s and women’s 400m hurdles, followed by the semi-finals of both the 100m and 400m races.
“The day will conclude with the finals of the men’s and women’s 100m events,” Kumoye said.
He described the sprint finals as one of the major highlights of the championship.
The final day of competition will commence with heats in the men’s 110m hurdles and women’s 100m hurdles, alongside the opening rounds of the men’s and women’s 200m races.
Kumoye said fans should expect thrilling contests during the closing session, which will feature finals in the men’s and women’s 400m hurdles, men’s javelin, women’s high jump and the men’s and women’s 1,500m races.
The women’s discus final and the 400m finals are also expected to generate excitement before the championship reaches its climax with the sprint hurdles and 200m finals.
Expressing optimism ahead of the event, Kumoye said the trials would showcase the depth of talent available in Nigerian athletics and offer rising stars a chance to make their mark.
“With national pride and Commonwealth Games qualification at stake, we expect a highly competitive championship,” he said.
He added that the selection process would be transparent and merit-based.
