The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has shared why Lagos State will host the first National Intermediate Games. The event is set to take place from October 1 to 15.
Named EKO 2026, Olopade explained that Lagos was selected due to its strong grassroots sports development, good sporting facilities, and its ability to organize big sporting events.
The Games are part of the commission’s Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy. They aim to connect grassroots sports with elite sports by creating a clear pathway for athletes aged 15 to 18.
The NSC noted that this age group is crucial for athlete development. Young talents need proper competition, support, and monitoring to move up to the elite level.
At the recent launch of the Games’ logo and mascot, Olopade emphasized that Lagos has shown it can connect grassroots sports with the top level in Nigeria.
“Lagos will always put everything out to ensure things are done properly as we are about to kick-start what will be the best sports fiesta we will ever see in this country,” Olopade said.
“Deliberately, Malam Shehu Dikko and I knew that the only state that could bail us out and bridge that gap that has been so obvious in our sports is Lagos.
“Not just in organizing, but proactively, Lagos has created a system that brings schoolchildren to the top echelon of our sports. It is fitting that we bring the next level of growth in sports to Lagos to host and show that we can do things better than people observe.
“This is very proactive, and this is what we are looking forward to. Lagos has consistently shown that it can lead from the front and bridge the gap that exists in our sports.”
The NSC added that Lagos was chosen also for its many sports facilities that can host a national multi-sport event.
The Teslim Balogun Stadium will be the main venue. Other locations include the National Stadium in Surulere, Rowe Park Sports Centre in Yaba, Agege Township Stadium, Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, and the Elegbata Sports Complex.
The state has also secured access to other facilities like the Lagos Tennis Club in Onikan, TBS Cricket Oval, Yaba College of Technology, and the University of Lagos.
Earlier this year, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu set up a Local Organising Committee to manage the EKO 2026 event.
The committee is led by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Sam Egube. The Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, and the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, are co-chairmen.
Several sub-committees have also been formed to handle different parts of the Games and make sure everything runs smoothly.
Besides competition, the National Intermediate Games aim to identify talent, assess performance, and help emerging athletes transition into Nigeria’s high-performance sports system.
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