Enugu Governor Promises Top-Notch National Sports Festival

Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has promised that his government will deliver a memorable 23rd National Sports Festival (NSF), known as the "Coal City Games."

Mbah assured everyone that all facilities will be ready before the Games scheduled for 27th November to 11th December 2026.

The Governor spoke over the weekend while visiting Awgu Games Village, one of the venues for the NSF. He wanted to see the quality and speed of work at the site. He said that the Awgu Games Village, which had been neglected for a long time, will be a world-class sports facility in less than two months.

"Remember the promise we made as a government that we will make the 23rd National Sports Festival one of the most memorable festivals in the history of the event.

"We are currently building a one-thousand-capacity hostel. We also have outdoor and indoor courts under construction.

"A standard FIFA pitch is being built as well. We also have an eight-lane track, and all these are world-class.

"I have to be here because we have a tight timeline and this project must be ready. In less than two months, this site will no longer be a construction site. It will be a proper venue hosting teams from across the country," he said.

Mbah added that his government is not just building for the NSF. He said the development of sports facilities aligns with his campaign promise to make Enugu State a top choice for investment, business, tourism, and living.

He mentioned that Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium is already being upgraded to FIFA standards. He sees sports as more than just fun; it can also be a big business if managed well.

"As you know, we are giving serious attention to Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. We are upgrading it to world-class standards.

"These facilities will be ready. I have promised the team from the National Sports Commission, who visited for monitoring, that we will not change the dates. The dates for the 23rd National Sports Festival are set.

"We are doing a full reconstruction and transformation of Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. We are installing a new FIFA-standard football pitch and a new athletics track. We are fixing and replacing spectator seats, building new roofing and canopy systems for the stands.

"We are upgrading the VIP and VVIP stands, the players’ changing rooms, and other related facilities. We are also improving the stadium gates and access-control system to an electronic one, adding two new LCD scoreboards, perimeter LED display boards, and protective fencing around the main bowl. The floodlighting system and other electrical and mechanical services are also being upgraded.

"We are giving the external areas of the stadium a new, modern look and feel. There will be extensive finishing works, landscaping, and improvements to the access and environment of the stadium.

"Beyond the main stadium, we are building a new Olympic-size swimming pool and upgrading the Indoor Sports Hall. We are also constructing new indoor and outdoor sports facilities, including volleyball, basketball, squash, and their supporting facilities.

"What we are doing is not just fixing a football stadium. We are changing the entire Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium complex into a modern, multi-sport facility.

"So, it is not only about organizing the festival well. We care about the experience of the athletes in Enugu. We want to ensure good accommodation, logistics, and overall experience for everyone involved in the Games. We are working hard to make this festival a memorable event for all participants and officials."

Mbah was accompanied on the tour by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu; the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Osita Okoh; the Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication, Prof. Benedett Okoli; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Development and Implementation, Arch. Uche Nwatu; and the Chairman of Awgu Local Government Council, Hon. Uchenna Okolo.

The host Council Chairman, Okolo, praised Mbah for reviving Awgu Games Village, saying that the transformation will boost development in the local government and the state overall.