Organisers reject Ochonogor’s entry
July 28, 2026 1:55 am
File: Prestina Ochonogor
National champion Prestina Ochonogor will not compete in the women’s long jump at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after organisers rejected Nigeria’s request to include her in the event, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Nigeria had sought to enter both Ochonogor and Ruth Usoro following the withdrawal of experienced jumper Ese Brume.
However, in a letter sent to Team Nigeria on Sunday and signed by the Games’ Technical Delegate, Chris Cohen, the organisers ruled that Ochonogor could not be added to the final entry list because she was not included in the country’s original submission.
“After a check of the final confirmation forms, it was seen that Prestina Ochonogor had been added by Nigeria to the Women’s Long Jump.
“Nigeria has already made a late athlete replacement for this event (BRUME replaced by USORO). Countries are not allowed to add more athletes to events, as only one athlete was entered originally and therefore only one athlete is allowed to compete in this event.
“For this reason, Ochonogor will not be allowed to enter the women’s long jump.”
Ochonogor earned national selection after winning the women’s long jump at the National Athletics Trials in June. Competing at the Yabatech Sports Complex in Yaba, Lagos, she recorded a winning leap of 6.57m in the absence of national record holder Brume.
The United States-based jumper’s mark was enough to top a strong field in one of Nigeria’s most competitive athletics events, but she will now miss the Commonwealth Games because of the entry regulations.
Abiodun, who reports Sports for PUNCH, covers different tiers of the Nigerian football league, the national teams, as well as cricket, in the last six years
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]