Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Enugu State Government has unveiled plans to rehabilitate the long-neglected Awgu Games Village and upgrade key sports infrastructure across the state in preparation for the 2026 National Sports Festival, which the state is set to host.
Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu Jnr., disclosed this during a courtesy visit by members of the Greater Awgu Media Professionals (GAMP) to his office in Enugu.
Ekweremadu said the Awgu Games Village would undergo total rehabilitation, with Governor Peter Mbah already approving the construction of a brand-new facility to provide modern accommodation and comprehensive sporting infrastructure for athletes and officials.
The new facility, according to him, will feature a mini-stadium, standard athletics tracks, indoor sports halls, gymnastics arenas, a gymnasium, and provisions for boxing and athletics.
“Awgu Games Village will play a pivotal role in our hosting plans. It is a completely new development that will meet international standards,” the Commissioner stated.
Despite financial constraints, Ekweremadu assured that the government is committed to delivering world-class facilities, including high-standard athletic tracks and other essential components to support various sporting disciplines.
He also revealed plans to introduce water sports—such as rowing and canoeing—at the Ugbo Dam in Awgu LGA, subject to its completion. He noted that host states are allowed to nominate optional sports, and Enugu aims to broaden the festival’s scope through this opportunity.
“We have a 12-month timeline from commencement to complete all projects. The goal is to have facilities ready by July 2026 to allow for test runs ahead of the main event in the fourth quarter of the year,” he added.
Ekweremadu further announced that extensive upgrades are already underway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, which will serve as the primary venue for most of the festival events.
According to him, the stadium’s main bowl will be fully roofed for spectator comfort, and the pitch will be replaced with FIFA-certified turf.
“The current track is not competition-standard. We are replacing it with an IAAF-certified polyurethane (PU) track—the highest standard globally,” he said.
The Commissioner also disclosed plans for a new Olympic-standard swimming pool with diving facilities and spectator stands at the stadium complex.
He added that the indoor sports arena would be remodeled with new wooden flooring, enhanced lighting, and improved ventilation for multipurpose use.
Other festival venues will include the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), which will host temporary facilities, including the hockey tournament on its AstroTurf. Indoor games such as chess, scrabble, and Ayo will be held at the air-conditioned International Conference Centre.
In his remarks, Chairman of GAMP, Comrade Regis Anukwuoji, commended Commissioner Ekweremadu for his visionary leadership and praised Governor Mbah for his unprecedented investments in sports development.
He particularly lauded the decision to revive the Awgu Games Village, describing it as a landmark initiative with the potential to drive economic and socio-cultural development in Awgu, a local government area he said had suffered years of neglect.
“We are confident that these investments will not only ensure a successful Sports Festival but also contribute significantly to youth empowerment and long-term economic growth in Enugu State,” Anukwuoji said.
Other GAMP members, comprising journalists and media professionals of Awgu extraction from various media organizations, were present during the visit.
