Athletics Federation of Nigeria reschedules Commonwealth Games qualifying event due to late athlete arrivals

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The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has rescheduled the start of the 2026 Commonwealth Games national trials by one day to enable athletes affected by severe weather disruptions in the United States to participate in the competition.

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The Head of the AFN Media Committee, Maxwell Kumoye, announced this on Saturday, just a few hours before the start of the event.

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The trials, originally scheduled to take place from Saturday, June 20 to June 22 at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos, will now run from Sunday, June 21 to June 23 at the same venue.

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“The decision was reached following an emergency meeting of the AFN board chaired by the federation’s president, Chief Tonobok Okowa, in Lagos,” the AFN said in a statement obtained by our correspondent on Saturday morning.

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The trials, which will feature some of Nigeria’s top track and field stars, will determine the country’s representatives for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, set to take place from July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow, Scotland.

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The AFN said the adjustment became necessary after several Nigerian athletes based in the United States were unable to travel as planned due to widespread flight cancellations caused by heavy rain, severe storms and flash flooding across parts of the country, including Atlanta, Georgia; Montgomery and other parts of Alabama.

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“Many of the affected athletes had appealed to the federation for additional time to enable them to arrive in Nigeria and compete in the crucial trials, which will help determine selection for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

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“Following deliberations, the AFN resolved to move the event forward by one day in what it described as a decision taken in the best interest of all stakeholders, particularly the athletes whose travel plans were disrupted by the natural disaster.

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“The federation noted that the affected athletes remain eager to represent Nigeria and are making every effort to arrive in time for the competition.

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“The Federation appealed for understanding from athletes who have already arrived in Lagos, urging them to bear with the situation while wishing their colleagues safe travels,” the statement added.

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Following the release of an initial schedule for the event, the opening day will now be on Sunday, starting with the women’s 5,000m final and men’s discus final before the first-round heats of the men’s and women’s 100m.

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The day will also feature the men’s high jump final and the opening heats of the men’s and women’s 400m.

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In the afternoon session, attention will shift to the women’s long jump, women’s shot put and the 800m finals for both men and women.

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The women’s 100m heats, men’s triple jump final and men’s 5,000m final are also scheduled.

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Day two on Monday, June 22 will see race walkers compete for honours in the men’s and women’s 10,000m events, while field event specialists will contest the women’s javelin, women’s triple jump and men’s and women’s hammer throw finals.

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Track events on the second day include heats of the men’s 400m hurdles and women’s 400m hurdles, followed by the highly anticipated 100m and 400m semi-finals for both genders in the afternoon.

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The day will conclude with the finals of the men’s and women’s 100m, expected to be among the highlights of the trials.

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The final day on Tuesday, June 23 opens with heats in the men’s 110m hurdles, women’s 100m hurdles and the men’s and women’s 200m.

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The concluding afternoon session promises a thrilling finish, featuring finals in the men’s and women’s 400m hurdles, men’s javelin, women’s high jump, men’s and women’s 1,500m, women’s discus and the men’s and women’s 400m.

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The competition will culminate with the finals of the men’s and women’s sprint hurdles and 200m events, where athletes will make their final push for Commonwealth Games qualification.

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The national trials are expected to attract some of the country’s leading track and field athletes as they battle for places on Team Nigeria for the Commonwealth Games.

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