Commonwealth Games Trials: NSC DG Hails Athletes’ Performances
By Ado Salisu
The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has expressed satisfaction with the standard of performances recorded on the opening day of the 2026 Commonwealth Games National Trials at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) Sports Complex in Lagos.
Athletes delivered impressive displays across various events on Sunday, raising optimism about Nigeria’s prospects ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the trials, Olopade commended the athletes for their determination and competitive spirit, describing the emerging talents as the future of Nigerian athletics.
He reiterated the commission’s commitment to creating opportunities for athletes to excel and compete successfully on the international stage.
Also present at the event was the Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Chief Solomon Ogba, who praised both the quality of competition and the level of organisation.
According to him, the trials provide a positive indication of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The Head of the Nigeria Elite and Podium Finish Committee, Yusuf Alli, closely monitored proceedings as athletes competed for places and opportunities to represent the country in future international competitions.
A major source of motivation for participants was the Ben Aghazu Excellence in Athletics Prize, an initiative aimed at encouraging home-based athletes to strive for excellence.
In the field events, US-based Prestina Ochonogor won the women’s long jump with a leap of 6.57 metres. In the absence of national record holder Ese Brume, Ochonogor dominated the event with a commanding performance.
The men’s triple jump also produced a standout moment as Olaoluwa Akindunbi of Arena Academy recorded a personal best of 16.08 metres to claim victory.
Five athletes achieved the qualifying standard for the Ben Aghazu Excellence in Athletics Prize in the women’s 5,000 metres event.
Vivian Obadiah of Delta State won the race in a personal best time of 17:24.85, while Mary Jah Bulus of D-MSF finished second in 17:26.28. Aminat Adenike Alabi of Osheku Athletics Academy placed third with a personal best of 17:26.51.
Nvou Gyang Tanko of D-MSF finished fourth in 17:26.82, while Arinde Miracle Boluwatife of D’Star Athletics Academy completed the list of qualifiers with a time of 17:33.07.
All five athletes surpassed the benchmark required for the prize and achieved personal bests, highlighting the growing depth of women’s distance running in Nigeria.
Reacting to the performances, the initiator of the prize and 2nd Vice President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Akuchukwu Aghazu, expressed delight at the emergence of new talents.
She said the performances justified the vision behind the initiative, which was established to motivate athletes and reward excellence.
“I am truly excited by what we witnessed in the women’s 5,000m. Seeing five athletes attain the benchmark, and all of them recording personal bests, is a clear indication that our athletes are responding positively to opportunities created for them,” she said.
Aghazu added that the performances underscored the vast potential within Nigeria’s athletics system and reaffirmed the commitment of stakeholders to supporting home-based athletes.
She also commended Kunle Oguneye, Gbolahan Fatuga and Mary Onyali for supporting the Excellence in Athletics Prize through financial contributions.
The highlight of the day, however, came from Jennifer Chukwuka Obi, who produced a sensational performance in the women’s 100 metres heats.
Obi clocked a lifetime best of 11.26 seconds (-0.8m/s) to win Heat Three and strengthen her status as one of Nigeria’s most promising sprint talents.
She finished ahead of Merit Ufuoma, who qualified for the semi-finals in 11.50 seconds, while Lucy Nwankwo secured the third qualifying spot in 11.60 seconds.
The women’s sprint events generated excitement and set the stage for an intense battle for medals in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the men’s 100 metres heats were postponed due to technical issues and have been rescheduled for Monday. The final is expected to hold on Tuesday, June 23.
With strong performances already recorded and key stakeholders expressing confidence in the country’s emerging talents, expectations remain high as the trials continue in Lagos.
