The Local Organising Committee for the first National Intermediate Games has promised to raise the bar for sports competitions in Nigeria. Lagos is getting ready to welcome young athletes from all over the country from October 1 to 15, The PUNCH reports.
Lagos got the chance to host the first National Intermediate Games from the National Sports Commission. The state is focused on making this debut edition memorable.
Called EKO 2026, the National Intermediate Games were created under the NSC’s Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy. The aim is to connect grassroots participation with elite sports by providing a clear path for athletes aged 15 to 18.
The NSC says this age group is key for developing athletes. At this stage, talented young sportspeople need proper competition, monitoring, and support to reach the top level.
The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee and Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Sam Egube, reminded everyone that Lagos hosted the first National Sports Festival in 1973. He assured that the state would hold an event that reflects its status as the Centre of Excellence.
"We will host excellently. After all, this is the State of Excellence. We want to reassure you that what Mr Governor has said is going to stand," Egube said during a media briefing on Tuesday.
"We are going to do everything to make this competition a remarkable one. The kind of record that we are going to set will be something that many other states will try to match."
Egube added that the Games would encourage national unity and togetherness beyond just competing for medals.
"Lagos will be welcoming about 15,000 young athletes between the ages of 15 and 18 to compete for glory. But this competition isn’t just about honour; it is about national unity and togetherness. When people come together, nothing can stop them from achieving what they set out to do," he said.
Lekan Fatodu, Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, and Mobolaji Ogunlende, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, both co-chair the LOC. They also highlighted Lagos's readiness to host a successful 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 arranged access to facilities like the Lagos Tennis Club in Onikan, TBS Cricket Oval, Yaba College of Technology, and the University of Lagos.
Several sub-committees have been set up to manage different parts of the Games and ensure everything runs smoothly.
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