AFN Golden League begins as 412 athletes storm Benin City for season starter 

Team Nigeria’s build-up for a packed athletics season shifts into top gear on Monday as the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) fires the starting gun on its maiden Golden League series in Benin City.

The two-day meet, scheduled for March 2–3 at the iconic Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, is officially listed on the World Athletics calendar and signals a bold new direction by the federation’s Technical Committee led by Technical Director, Gabriel Okon.

No fewer than 412 athletes have entered for 28 events across men and women categories in what promises to be a high-energy confrontation.

The National Team athletes currently in camp in Asaba will be using the Golden League Series to access they level of progress while in camp.

Competition begins at 8 a.m. on Monday with the women’s 5,000m final setting the tone.

The Golden League is structured into three tiers:

• Premium

• Classics

• Promotional

They’re designed to reward excellence while deepening the talent pool.

The blue-riband 100m and 400m races for both men and women headline the four Premium events, with cash rewards awaiting the winners.

Eight Classics events, including the women’s 100m hurdles, men’s 110m hurdles, men’s triple jump and javelin, women’s 800m, men’s 1,500m, women’s long jump and high jump will also attract incentives.

The Promotional category is aimed at broadening participation and sharpening the next generation of stars, reinforcing the AFN’s renewed focus on athlete development.

The Technical Director of AFN Gabriel Okon described the league as a crucial platform to guarantee regular competition for Nigerian athletes throughout the year, noting that consistency remains key to international success.

He also hailed AFN President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, for backing the initiative and approving financial rewards to motivate standout performers.