Nigerian sprinter Favour Onyah has threatened to stop representing the country after she was omitted from the athletics squad for the 2026 Commonwealth Games despite qualifying at the national trials.
Onyah was among 15 athletes who opened camp in Abuja on June 25 following strong performances at the National Athletics Trials in Lagos, where she stormed to victory in the women’s 400m final, clocking a commanding 52.68 seconds to win the national title.
The 19 year old was also selected as part of Nigeria’s women’s 4x400m relay team alongside Patience Okon George, Ella Onojuvwevwo and Esther Joseph, making her omission from the final Commonwealth Games squad particularly striking.
Onyah’s frustration reflects broader concerns periodically raised by Nigerian athletes over squad selection criteria for major international competitions, with qualification at national trials not always guaranteeing a place on the final team.
Athletics stakeholders say the case could renew scrutiny of Nigeria’s selection processes for major games, particularly where athletes who meet qualifying standards are left out of final squads.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has not yet issued a public response to Onyah’s comments, though the sprinter’s threat to withdraw from national representation adds pressure on selectors to clarify the criteria used.
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