AFN sets the pace for blockbuster season

AFN sets the pace for blockbuster season 

...As Okowa vows to restore athletics’ lost glory

The gun has gone off early, and Nigerian athletics is already sprinting into a defining year.

With a packed 2026 calendar that stretches across continents and competitions, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has boldly set the tone for what promises to be one of its most ambitious and eventful seasons in recent history. 

From grassroots development to elite global showdowns, the message is crystal clear, Nigerian athletics is back on the front foot.

The season roars to life with registration and affiliation activities before flowing seamlessly into major domestic events like the AFN/Agroterra 10km Cross Country Race, the AFN Golden League, national championships, kids’ athletics series, and elite relays across Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Uyo, Benin City and beyond. 

It is a calendar designed not just to compete but to set a definite path to improve, restore lost glory and conquer.

Internationally, Nigerian athletes will test themselves against the world, featuring at the World Relays, Diamond League meetings, World Junior Championships, World Athletics Ultimate Championships and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. 

The exposure is deliberate. The ambition is unmistakable.

At the heart of this renewed momentum is AFN President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, whose vision has injected fresh belief into the sport. 

From his first days in office, Okowa has been vocal and consistent about one promise, to bring back the lost glory of Nigerian athletics.

“This calendar is a statement,” an AFN insider noted. “It shows intent, structure, and belief in our athletes.”

Okowa’s leadership philosophy is built on rebuilding systems, empowering athletes, supporting coaches, and restoring Nigeria’s reputation as a global athletics force.

Anti-doping education, coaches’ workshops, regional championships and youth-focused competitions are not side notes but they are pillars of the plan.

Perhaps most importantly, the calendar reflects balance, nurturing young talent through Kids Athletics R.A.C.E Series, sharpening elites through high-performance meets, and reconnecting fans with the sport through nationwide festivals and championships.

As the tracks heat up from January to December, one thing is evident, AFN is no longer reacting; it is leading.

With Chief Tonobok Okowa at the helm with the comprehensive support of the National Sports Commission (NSC), corporate bodies and a clear roadmap in hand, Nigerian athletics is chasing more than medals this season. 

"It is chasing identity, pride, and a return to the top. The season is long. The stakes are high. And for Nigerian athletics, the comeback has officially begun,” Okowa assured.