Nigerian Sprinter Favour Onyah Threatens to Quit Team Nigeria Over Commonwealth Games 2026 Omission
Nigerian sprinter Favour Onyah has threatened to stop representing the country after being left out of the athletics team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, despite earning qualification at the National Athletics Trials.
The 19‑year‑old was among 15 athletes invited to a training camp in Abuja on June 25 after winning the women’s 400m national title in 52.68 seconds at the Lagos trials. She was also named in the women’s 4x400m relay squad alongside Patience Okon‑George, Ella Onojuvwevwo and Esther Joseph.
The team later travelled to Aberdeen, Scotland, for final preparations at the Aberdeen Sports Village ahead of the Games. However, Onyah did not advance beyond the Abuja camp and returned to the United States to continue her training.
Expressing her disappointment on TikTok, she hinted that her future with Team Nigeria could be over, saying she had already forgiven the federation three times and would not give a fourth chance.
Earlier this year Onyah represented Nigeria at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana as part of the women’s 4x400m relay team. At the 2025 CAA U‑20 African Athletics Championships in Abeokuta she won three gold medals, capturing the 400m title in 52.47 seconds, anchoring the women’s 4x400m relay to victory in 3:37.02, and also running the anchor leg in the mixed 4x400m relay gold.
Her omission has added to growing concerns over the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s selection process. Several athletes who impressed at the National Trials questioned the criteria used to pick the Commonwealth Games squad.
Former sprinter and coach Deji Aliu criticised the federation, stressing that clear, published selection criteria, trials, qualifying marks and head‑to‑head results are essential to build trust among athletes, the public and sponsors. He warned that opaque or politically tinged selections erode confidence and drive away sponsors who prefer credible systems.
The controversy highlights the need for transparency in Nigerian athletics if the country wants to retain talent and attract sponsorship.
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