By Wale Joseph
Athletes in camp at the Asaba camp have intensified preparations ahead of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, with the squad now firmly into the second week of its six-week residential camp.
Training activities at the Stephen Keshi Stadium have gathered momentum, bringing together a blend of seasoned campaigners and promising young prospects. The structured programme is designed to progressively build fitness, fine-tune technique and strengthen team chemistry ahead of the global showpiece.
Head coach of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Solomon Aliyu, expressed satisfaction with the opening phase, noting that the focus remains firmly on steady and distraction-free preparation.
“We don’t want to be distracted. So far, so good. The camp is in three phases and this is the first phase of the camp,” Aliyu said.
With the athletes settling into camp life, sessions have evolved from general conditioning to more specialised drills tailored to individual events. Sprinters, hurdlers, jumpers and throwers are undergoing rigorous morning endurance workouts, followed by evening speed and technical refinement sessions.
Coaches overseeing the exercise explained that the initial six-week phase is aimed at laying a solid performance foundation before the athletes transition into competitive simulations and international exposure events closer to the Games.
“The response from the athletes has been encouraging,” a member of the technical crew revealed. “The first two weeks are critical for fitness and bonding, and the commitment level has been impressive.”
Favourable weather conditions in Asaba and the quality of facilities at the stadium have also contributed positively to the preparations. Beyond physical training, emphasis is being placed on nutrition, recovery strategies and mental conditioning to ensure a holistic build-up.
Aliyu disclosed that a number of invited athletes are yet to report to camp due to their participation in the Niger Delta Games, but confirmed that a full house is expected soon.
“We are expecting more to join the camp after the Niger Delta Games. Some of the athletes called to camp are taking part in the NDDC Games, so after the NDDC Games we will have a full camp,” he added.
Despite the temporary absences, morale within the camp remains high. The coach praised the professionalism of both athletes and support staff, highlighting the conducive environment.
“The spirit in camp is very high. The quality of accommodation is good and the quality of training is top notch. The feeding is good, no negative feedback,” he stated.
For emerging athletes, the Commonwealth Games represent a major opportunity to announce themselves on the international stage, while experienced stars are aiming to deliver stronger performances as Nigeria seeks to reaffirm its pedigree in track and field.
With four weeks left in the first phase, federation officials are confident that the phased camping strategy will sharpen performance levels and solidify team unity, positioning Team Nigeria for a competitive outing when the Games commence.
