AFN changes date for Commonwealth Games trials due to weather delays

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has pushed the start of the 2026 Commonwealth Games national trials back by one day. This change will allow athletes affected by bad weather in the United States to take part in the competition.

Maxwell Kumoye, head of the AFN Media Committee, made this announcement on Saturday. This was just a few hours before the event was supposed to start.

The trials were originally planned for Saturday, June 20 to June 22 at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos. They will now happen from Sunday, June 21 to June 23 at the same venue.

“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 on Saturday morning.

The trials will feature some of Nigeria’s best track and field athletes. They will decide who represents the country at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will take place from July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow, Scotland.

The AFN explained that this change was necessary because many Nigerian athletes in the United States could not travel as planned. This was due to flight cancellations from heavy rain, severe storms, and flash flooding in places like Atlanta, Georgia, and Montgomery in Alabama.

“Many of the affected athletes had appealed to the federation for extra time to arrive in Nigeria and compete in the important trials for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

“After discussions, the AFN decided to move the event forward by one day. They said this was done in the best interest of all involved, especially the athletes whose travel plans were affected by the weather.

The federation noted that the athletes still want to represent Nigeria and are doing everything they can to make it to the competition on time.

The Federation asked for understanding from athletes who have already arrived in Lagos, urging them to be patient while wishing their colleagues safe travels,” the statement added.

With the new schedule, the opening day on Sunday will start with the women’s 5,000m final and men’s discus final. This will be followed by the first-round heats of the men’s and women’s 100m.

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

In the afternoon, the focus will shift to the women’s long jump, women’s shot put, and the 800m finals for both men and women. The women’s 100m heats, men’s triple jump final, and men’s 5,000m final are also on the schedule.

On Monday, June 22, race walkers will compete in the men’s and women’s 10,000m events. Field event specialists will take part in the women’s javelin, women’s triple jump, and men’s and women’s hammer throw finals.

Track events will include heats of the men’s 400m hurdles and women’s 400m hurdles. This will lead to the highly anticipated 100m and 400m semi-finals for both genders in the afternoon.

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

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

The afternoon session promises an exciting finish. It will feature 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.

The competition will finish with the finals of the men’s and women’s sprint hurdles and 200m events. Athletes will push hard for their chance to qualify for the Commonwealth Games.

The national trials are expected to attract many of the country’s top track and field athletes as they compete for spots on Team Nigeria for the Commonwealth Games.