Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN,  has set up new rules for its flagship event, the Golden League scheduled to begin next weekend.

According to its technical director, Omatsheye Nesiama, the new guidelines are meant to boost the quality of the competition and make athletes work harder at increasing their performance levels.

“We are setting new standards for Golden League. It is going to be performance based and once any athlete meets the set standard, they automatically qualify to receive incentives no matter their placing in the golden league,” Navy Commodore Nesiama said.

The Golden League events for this year include 100/200m, 800m, 5000m, 100m hurdles, triple jump, shot put, discus, 20km walk and 4x100m/4x400m relays for the women. The men events are 100/200m, 800m, 10,000m, 400m hurdles, long jump, javelin, hammer 4×100/4x400m relays.

Athletes are expected to score 1050 points on the IAAF table to enable them qualify for any financial reward in the new rule. During the competition the first position will attract 10 points, second position 8 points, third position 6 points, fourth position 4 points, fifth position 2 points and sixth position 1 point. Any athlete who meets the A standard of the world championships qualification will get 10 points bonus, while a national record breaking performance will get 20 points bonus.