Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The National Sports Commission (NSC), has awarded Enugu State the hosting right for the 2026 National Sports Festival.
The commission took the decision after its top management meeting in Abuja on Friday.
In a statement signed by Kola Daniel, Special Adviser Media to the Director General of NSC, the state emerged top from a competitive bidding process, adding that the state was set to deliver a world-class event.
The statement reads in part: “National Sports Festival, a biennial multi-sports event, brings together thousands of athletes from Nigeria’s 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory to celebrate sportsmanship, national unity and sporting excellence.”
The statement also said the 22nd edition of the festival is set to hold in January 2025 in Ogun State, with the Gateway State buzzing with pomp and pageantry, as the Games draw closer.
“Honourable Bukola Olopade, the former chairman of the Local Organising Committee and current NSC Director General, revealed that the Gateway Games will host over 15,000 athletes,” the statement said.
Kola said that with Enugu’s selection for the 23rd edition, “the festival promises to uphold its legacy of excellence, inclusivity, and showcasing the best of Nigerian sports talent, while unearthing talents good enough to fly the flag of the nation internationally.”
According to him, this marks the first time the South-Eastern State will be staging the event since its inception in 1973.
The 21st edition of the Games was hosted by Asaba, Delta State, with over 11,000 athletes participating in the grand tournament.
“With Ogun State billed to host the next edition of the games in January next year, it also marks the first time the host of the subsequent Games is known before the end of the current Festival.
“This development will give Enugu State enough time to prepare adequately for the games and will also enhance the Corporate image of the Festival.”
