AFN Fixes June Date For Commonwealth Games Trials, Releases Qualification Standards

According to Ireporter Online, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has fixed June 20 to 22, 2026, for its national trials ahead of the Commonwealth Games scheduled to hold in Glasgow, Scotland, while also unveiling the qualification standards athletes must meet to participate in the selection event.

The federation confirmed that the trials will take place at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos and are expected to feature both home-based and foreign-based athletes as Nigeria intensifies preparations for the July 23 to August 2, 2026 Commonwealth Games.

AFN disclosed that the three-day championship will cover 32 track and field events for men and women. However, participation in the men’s and women’s 100m, 200m, and 400m events will be limited to athletes who achieve the required qualifying marks within the April to June 2026 window, while other events will remain open to competitors.

For athletes competing locally, the qualification benchmark for the men’s 100m is set at 10.60 seconds, while the women’s standard is 11.55 seconds. In the 200m, male athletes must record 21.85 seconds and female athletes 23.75 seconds, while the 400m standards are 48.50 seconds for men and 54.50 seconds for women.

Stricter benchmarks have been introduced for athletes based abroad, with the men’s 100m set at 10.05 seconds and the women’s at 11.17 seconds. For the 200m, the standards stand at 20.48 seconds for men and 22.60 seconds for women, while the 400m requirements are 45.50 seconds and 51.30 seconds respectively.

The AFN explained that the arrangement is aimed at ensuring only athletes in peak condition compete in the sprint events, while still encouraging wider participation across other disciplines.

The federation also announced that it will provide accommodation support for athletes who meet the qualification standards during the qualifying period, adding that the list of qualified athletes will be released in the coming days.

AFN President Tonobok Okowa commended the National Sports Commission for its continued support, noting that it has played a significant role in strengthening athlete development and improving Nigeria’s performance on the global stage.

The Lagos trials are expected to serve as the final gateway for athletes seeking to represent Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games, as the country looks to mount a strong challenge in Glasgow.