The iconic Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, is set for another round of fireworks as retired athletes from across Nigeria converge for a four-day celebration of athletics, fitness, and lifelong sporting excellence under the umbrella of the Nigeria Athletics Masters (NAM).
The Dynamic Championship, scheduled to hold from Wednesday, July 8 to Saturday, July 11, 2026, will bring together former athletes from athletics and other sports, as well as Physical Education (P.E.) teachers, to compete in various track and field events.
According to the organisers, Wednesday, July 8 will be for the arrival for all participating athletes, while competitions start up on Thursday, July 9 and Friday, July 10, running daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m, with the departure slated for Saturday, July 11 following the conclusion of the championship.
The competition will feature a wide range of events, including the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, 3,000m, 5,000m, and 10,000m races, alongside the race walk, shot put, discus throw, javelin throw, 100m hurdles, and 110m hurdles.
Leading the Nigeria Athletics Masters movement is Dr Richard Ogunleye, President of the Nigeria Athletics Masters (NAM).
The championship enjoys the backing of major sponsors, including the Edo State Government, Power Oil, Guinness, and the Edo State Sports Commission, reflecting strong institutional support for masters athletics and healthy living among retired sportsmen and women.
According to the Chairman, Nigeria Athletics Masters (NAM), Edo State Chapter, Mr Ehijator Lucky, the championship is more than a competition, describing it as an opportunity to rekindle friendships, promote active lifestyles after retirement, and demonstrate that sporting excellence can be sustained well beyond an athlete’s competitive prime.
With participants expected from different parts of the country, the event is anticipated to once again make the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium a vibrant hub of competition, camaraderie, and inspiration as Nigeria’s masters athletes once again take centre stage.