NSC Checks Venues for Upcoming National Intermediate Games in Lagos

The National Sports Commission (NSC), along with members of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC), has begun another round of inspections of facilities in Lagos. This is to prepare for the first National Intermediate Games.

The games will take place from October 1 to 15 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

Kehinde Ajayi, the Director of Information at the NSC, said in a statement on Sunday that the inspection started at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. She said, "The delegation assessed the readiness and suitability of the facilities earmarked for the games."

The inspection team was led by Niyi Beyioku, who is the Head of Grassroots Development. Adeboye Adeyinka, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Development, represented the Director General of the commission. Ajayi mentioned that members of the LOC highlighted key facilities, like the stadium turf, indoor sports hall, and other sports infrastructure while the team checked their preparedness for the competition.

After visiting the Teslim Balogun Stadium, the delegation went to inspect other important venues and facilities. These included the National Stadium complex in Surulere, the National Institute for Sports (NIS) Rowe Park Sports Centre, and the Yaba College of Technology. They also visited the University of Lagos sports facilities and hostels, the Elegbata Sports Centre, the Cricket Oval at Tafawa Balewa Square, and the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, which is being considered for the opening and closing ceremonies.

Following the facility inspection, the MOC and LOC had a technical meeting. They discussed important operational and technical issues to improve preparations for the successful hosting of the games. Twenty-eight sports have been selected for the first National Intermediate Games. Athletes are expected to arrive starting from October 1, while the opening ceremony will take place on October 5.

The National Intermediate Games is a multi-sports event organized by the NSC to help develop and identify young sporting talents across Nigeria. Ajayi added that the games are specifically for athletes in the Under-19 category, which includes those born between January 1, 2008, and September 30.

The competition will gather athletes from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) along with athletes from the diaspora. They will compete together in Lagos for two weeks. Notable members of the inspection team included Yusuf Alli, Olalekan Alabi, and Kola Daniel, who is the Special Assistant, Media, to the DG, NSC, along with other officials from the NSC, MOC, and LOC.

Ajayi said the inspection shows the commitment of the organizers to ensure that all facilities, technical arrangements, and operational structures are ready for a safe, competitive, and successful first edition of the National Intermediate Games.