Commonwealth Games Trials: athletes, coaches to share N1.6m performance incentive

Posted : 11 June 2026

As Nigeria's athletics community gears up for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games Trials in Lagos, home-based athletes and coaches have been handed a significant boost with the introduction of a N1.6 million performance-based reward package aimed at encouraging outstanding displays.

The initiative, tagged the Ben Aghazu Prize for Excellence in Athletics, was established by the Second Vice President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Akuchukwu Chineze Aghazu, to honour the memory of her late father, Ben Aghazu.

Under the scheme, athletes who achieve specific performance benchmarks during the Commonwealth Games Trials scheduled for June 20 to 22 in Lagos will receive cash rewards of N100,000 each. The targets were set by the AFN Technical Committee across 14 track and field events for both male and female competitors.

In addition to rewarding athletes, the programme will also recognise coaching excellence, with two coaches—one male and one female—set to receive special Excellence in Athletics Awards for their contributions to athlete development.

Speaking on the initiative, Aghazu said the objective is to motivate local athletes to pursue higher performance standards while acknowledging coaches who play critical roles in their success.

The reward package has been welcomed across the athletics fraternity as a timely intervention capable of raising the level of competition at the trials and inspiring athletes to push closer to international standards.

President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Chief Tonobok Okowa, praised the initiative, describing it as a commendable effort that aligns with the federation's vision of promoting excellence among Nigerian athletes.

According to Okowa, performance-driven incentives remain an effective tool for motivating athletes and fostering healthy competition.

He also urged corporate organisations and private individuals to support athletics development in Nigeria, stressing that greater investment would help unlock the country's vast sporting potential.

The prize covers the men's and women's 100m, 200m, 400m, 1500m and 5000m races, alongside the long jump and javelin events.

To qualify for the reward, athletes must attain the prescribed standards, including 10.10 seconds and 11.20 seconds in the men's and women's 100m respectively. Other targets include 20.60 seconds and 22.70 seconds in the 200m, 45.30 seconds and 51.00 seconds in the 400m, while the long jump benchmarks stand at 7.90 metres for men and 6.50 metres for women.

In the javelin throw, athletes must reach 81 metres in the men's event and 55 metres in the women's category to earn the bonus.

Should competitors achieve all the stipulated marks across the 14 events, a total of N1.6 million will be distributed during the three-day championship.

Beyond the financial rewards, the initiative underscores the importance of recognising excellence and creating an environment where athletes and coaches are motivated to pursue elite-level performances.

With the Commonwealth Games Trials drawing near, the incentive scheme is expected to add extra excitement and intensity to the competition while helping athletes strive for global standards.

Ultimately, the Ben Aghazu Prize for Excellence in Athletics serves as a vital catalyst for elevating the standards of Nigerian track and field. By providing clear benchmarks and meaningful financial rewards, the initiative properly positions local competitors for success on the international stage.

Commonwealth Games Trials: athletes, coaches to share N1.6m performance incentive

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