All Eyes on AFN as Athletics Kenya Announces Invite-Only World U20 Trials
Athletes Hoping AFN Can Organize Trials For African Senior Athletics Championships
Athletics Kenya has announced that trials for the 2026 World U20 Championships will be conducted on an invite-only basis, underscoring the federation’s reputation for efficiency and professionalism.
The trials, originally scheduled for June 26-27, will now take place from May 21-23 at Nyayo National Stadium.
Athletes will undergo vetting and collect bib numbers on May 21, with competition set for May 22 and 23.
Joseph Ilovi, Chairman of the Athletics Kenya Youth Committee, explained that the new format will ensure transparency and proper preparation ahead of the global event in Eugene, USA, from August 4-9.
‘This time, there will be no regional trials to pick athletes for national trials. We shall use the national secondary and junior schools’ results to select probables.
‘We shall also use weekend meetings and cross-country championships to invite those who are not in school,’ Ilovi said.
Ilovi added that all invited athletes must present valid Kenyan passports and original birth certificates.
‘During the trials, we shall pick a provisional team, and the names will be sent to World Athletics for age verification. We shall also embark on the same exercise here so that we have a clean team for the U20. World Athletics is very serious about issues of age cheating,’ he warned.
Kenya’s ability to organise structured trials reflects the federation’s long-standing professionalism, which has helped secure major sponsorships.
Nike has been Athletics Kenya’s official kit sponsor for over 20 years, with an agreement valued at $1.3–$1.5 million annually.
The partnership covers apparel, footwear, and financial support for athletes competing internationally.
By contrast, Nigeria’s Athletics Federation has struggled to maintain basic organisation. The AFN has yet to announce trials for the senior African Championships in Accra, and athletes who competed in Nigeria’s Golden League earlier this year are still awaiting prize money.
The disparity highlights why Kenya continues to attract global sponsors and build sustainable success, while Nigeria’s outdated practices risk undermining its athletes and diminishing its legacy in the sport.
