By Teddy Nwanunobi
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has opened camp for the 2026 Commonwealth Games beginning from Thursday, inviting 29 athletes to begin preparations at the National Sports Commission’s camp in Abuja ahead of the competition in Glasgow, Scotland, next month.
According to a statement by the federation’s Media Coordinator, Dr Kola Oredipe, the athletes were selected following their performances at the recently concluded national trials held at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos State, while some athletes who missed the trials due to visa-related issues were considered based on their current performances and records.
The invited athletes comprise 14 men and 15 women who are expected to represent Nigeria at the Games which will hold from July 23 to August 2.
Oredipe stated that letters of invitation had been sent to all selected athletes, directing them to report to the NSC national camp from Thursday, June 25.
On the men’s side, some of the invited athletes include: newly crowned national champion, Favour Ashe, Chidera Ezeakor, Fakorede Adekalu, and Alaba Akintola.
The list also features: Nigeria’s fastest man, Kayinsola Ajayi, who was unable to compete at the national trials, alongside his Auburn University teammate, Israel Okon, and fellow sprint star, Udodi Onwuzurike.
In the 400m and mixed 4x400m relay events, Samuel Ogazi, Edidiong Udo, and Tyler Johnson were invited, while Ezekiel Nathaniel will spearhead Nigeria’s challenge in the men’s 400m hurdles.
The field events team is led by African record holder and multiple African champion, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, in the shot put, while reigning African javelin champion, Chinecherem Nnamdi, and decathlete Jami Schluter also earned invitations to camp.
World record holder in the women’s 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan, headlines the female contingent invited to camp as she targets another successful outing for Team Nigeria at the Games.
Amusan will be joined in the sprint events by newly crowned national champion, Blessing Ogundiran, Rosemary Chukwuma, Tima Godbless, Miracle Ezechukwu, Olayinka Olajide, and Obi Chukwuka.
For the quarter-mile events and the mixed 4x400m relay, the federation invited the quartet of Patience Okon-George, Ella Onojuvwevwo, Favour Onyah, and Esther Joseph.
In the field events, high jumper, Temitope Adeshina; long jump star, Ese Brume; shot put thrower, Jessica Oji; and hammer throw specialist, Oyesade Olatoye, were also included in the squad.
The athletes are expected to form the core of Nigeria’s challenge across the track and field events in Glasgow as the country seeks another strong showing at the Commonwealth Games.
Nigeria’s athletics team is expected to compete in 18 events at the Commonwealth Games, spanning both track and field disciplines.