The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, has welcomed athletes to Lagos ahead of the 2026 All Nigeria Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games Trials, while issuing a strong warning against doping as the race for places at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games gets underway.
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The three-day championship and national trials will take place from June 20 to 22 at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) Sports Complex in Lagos, bringing together Nigeria’s top track and field athletes, including foreign-based stars and home-based competitors.
In a statement released through the AFN Media Coordinator, Dr. Kolawole Oredipe, Okowa expressed delight over the impressive number of entries received for the competition and urged participants to uphold the highest standards of discipline, professionalism and fair play.
The AFN president specifically cautioned athletes against engaging in doping practices, stressing the need to compete clean while observing all rules and regulations governing the championships.
Okowa also called on competitors to remain safety conscious throughout the event and maintain exemplary conduct both on and off the field of play.
“I want to welcome our valued athletes, both foreign and Nigerian-based, to Lagos for the national trials,” Okowa said.
“We are delighted to host you all and urge you to put in your best behaviour. You must be watchful, observe safety and security protocols, maintain discipline and professionalism. Our technical officials will be fair to all and deliver to World Athletics standards.”
He encouraged the athletes to produce their best performances, expressing confidence that several competitors would set personal bests and possibly establish new records during the championships.
“Compete fairly and I encourage you to bring up your very best in your respective events. We want to see new records and personal bests from you,” he added.
Okowa commended state athletics associations, clubs, coaches and organisations that have entered athletes for the trials, acknowledging their contributions to the development of athletics in Nigeria.
The AFN boss further assured participants that selection for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games team would be based strictly on merit, current form and performances recorded during the trials.
He also expressed appreciation to the National Sports Commission and other stakeholders for their support towards the successful organisation of the event.
The championships are expected to feature some of Nigeria’s biggest athletics stars as they battle for qualification spots and national honours ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next month.
Okowa concluded by urging athletics enthusiasts and sports fans to attend the competition at the YABATECH Sports Complex and support the athletes as they compete in what promises to be three days of exciting races, jumps and throwing events.
