The Director-General of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Bukola Olopade, has expressed confidence in Lagos State’s readiness to host the maiden National Intermediate Games, EKO 2026.
Olopade said the Games would provide an important platform to showcase Nigeria’s sporting potential, identify promising young athletes and support the development of the country’s next generation of sports stars.
This was contained in a statement issued to newsmen on Sunday in Lagos by Gbenga Omotoso, Chairman of the Media Publicity Sub-committee for the Games.
The NSC Director-General commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government for their commitment to sports development and youth empowerment.
He said the state’s preparation for the inaugural Games demonstrated strong leadership and a clear commitment to using sports to create opportunities for young Nigerians.
“When you look at the build-up to the first National Intermediate Games, you cannot but marvel at the leadership that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has given to sports in this country,” Olopade said.
He cited the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon as an example of the governor’s support for sporting events, noting that the competition had been retained and upgraded under the Sanwo-Olu administration.
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Olopade stressed the importance of discovering and nurturing young talents through initiatives targeted at secondary school athletes.
He recalled witnessing impressive performances from young athletes at competitions in Asaba and Abeokuta, saying such experiences reinforced the need for competitions that provide young Nigerians with opportunities to develop their abilities.
According to him, Lagos has demonstrated through its preparations that it possesses the systems, facilities and organizational capacity required to successfully host the National Intermediate Games.
“You have not only started putting in place systems and facilities, but you have also brought out the best of your leadership to drive these Games,” he said.
The NSC boss said the foundation being laid for EKO 2026 should allow the National Intermediate Games to develop into a major national sporting platform beyond its inaugural edition.
He urged the technical committee to give the Games the attention they deserved and ensure that the competition was properly positioned among Nigeria’s major sporting events.
Olopade also called on sports stakeholders to channel their energy and resources towards the success of the Intermediate Games, even as efforts continue to address challenges affecting Nigerian football.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that EKO 2026 is scheduled to hold in Lagos from Oct. 1 to Oct. 15. The maiden National Intermediate Games are expected to attract more than 14,000 young athletes from across Nigeria.
The competition is expected to serve as a major talent identification and development platform, giving young athletes an opportunity to compete, gain experience and potentially progress into elite sports.
NAN
