First Vice President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Abubakar Ladan Zurmi, has praised the quality of performances at the 2026 Commonwealth Games Trials, insisting the event has raised optimism ahead of the Games.
Zurmi described the competition in Lagos as one of the most encouraging national trials in recent years, with several athletes producing standout performances.
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“The trials exceeded our expectations,” Zurmi said.
The AFN official noted that the level of competition was extremely high, with athletes pushing one another to deliver impressive performances across different events.
According to him, the performances recorded during the trials have strengthened the federation’s belief that Team Nigeria can make a strong impact at the Commonwealth Games.
“We saw several outstanding performances that have given us confidence going into the Games,” he added.
Zurmi commended the athletes for their determination and competitive spirit, stressing that the trials also demonstrated the depth of talent currently available in Nigerian athletics.
He believes the competition has provided the federation with a clearer picture of the country’s medal prospects ahead of the Games.
“The quality on display shows we have athletes capable of competing at the highest level,” he stated.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria will now turn its attention to final preparations as Team Nigeria begins its build-up to the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with expectations growing after the impressive performances witnessed at the national trials.
