AFN Reschedules Commonwealth Games Trials to June 21-23 Over Weather Delays

Severe weather conditions affecting athletes in the United States prompted the Athletics Federation of Nigeria to reschedule its Commonwealth Games trials. Starting June 21 through June 23, rather than June 20-22 as initially planned, the competition will determine which athletes represent Nigeria at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Maxwell Kumoy, head of the AFN's media committee, made this announcement following an emergency meeting that included federation board chair and president Chief Tonobok Okowa. At Lagos's Yaba College of Technology sports complex, the trials will unfold across a three-day period featuring Nigeria's top track and field competitors.

Opening day competition included women's 5,000 metres finals and men's discus finals, alongside men's and women's 100 metres heats and first-round qualifying rounds. The subsequent schedule encompassed men's high jump finals, races in men's and women's 400 metres, women's long jump, women's shot put, and 800 metres finals across both genders.

Moving the event forward by 24 hours enabled wider participation from Nigeria's roster of athletes. Many had been unable to reach Lagos on time because their travel from United States-based training facilities and meets was disrupted by weather, and the federation sought to maximize their involvement.

In separate developments, sprinter Ofili will sit out the trials entirely. Coach Denni Shaver confirmed the 23-year-old competitor did not register for participation.

Previously, Ofili attempted to switch her athletic affiliation to Qatar; World Athletics rejected this application citing integrity questions concerning international competition standards. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Nigeria initially entered her in the women's 100 metres category, but she remained absent from that event.