The 2025 Nigeria National Athletics Trials, slated to hold from July 31 to August 2 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, may face postponement or relocation as the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) struggles to confirm the status of the event.
The trials, which serve as the mandatory selection event for Nigeria’s senior athletics team ahead of the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, were scheduled to take place at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta.
However, unresolved issues surrounding the World Athletics certification of the stadium’s tartan track have thrown the trials into uncertainty.
AFN President, Tonobok Okowa, expressed doubt over the event’s status in a conversation with PUNCH Sports Extra, stating, “I am not sure, so I will not say anything.” He added, “Nobody can give concrete information because, at the moment, nobody is sure. Nobody knows anything. It all depends on when and if the certificate for the tartan track will be out.”
Despite the Abeokuta venue recently hosting high-profile events such as the National Sports Festival in May and the CAA African U-18/U-20 Championships earlier in July, its track remains uncertified for senior-level international qualifying competitions — a requirement for the World Championships.
A senior AFN official, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the federation is actively considering alternative venues, with Benin City and Asaba emerging as frontrunners. “It’s true that Abeokuta is no longer being considered, and there are talks about shifting the venue to Benin or Asaba,” the source revealed.
The official noted that logistics and accessibility for athletes across the country are also influencing the discussions. “Some in the federation feel a more central location might encourage broader participation,” the source added.
As of now, no official decision regarding a new venue or possible change of dates has been communicated to athletes, coaches, or other stakeholders, further deepening the uncertainty just days before the trials are expected to begin.
The trials are compulsory for all athletes — both home-based and foreign-based — seeking to represent Nigeria at the Tokyo World Championships.
Athletes who miss the trials without valid medical exemptions will be disqualified from selection, regardless of any pre-existing qualifying marks.
With time running out and no official resolution in place, concerns are mounting within the athletics community over the lack of clarity, which threatens to disrupt preparations and participation for one of Nigeria’s most critical sporting events of the year.