National Sports Commission Director General, Bukola Olopade, has explained why Lagos State was selected to host the inaugural National Intermediate Games, scheduled for October 1 to 15.
Tagged EKO 2026, the Games were awarded to Lagos because of the state’s established grassroots sports development system, extensive sporting infrastructure and proven ability to successfully host major sporting events.
The competition is part of the commission’s Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy and is designed to create a structured pathway between grassroots participation and elite sports for athletes aged 15 to 18.
According to the NSC, the age group is crucial in athlete development, as young talents at that stage require regular competition, monitoring and adequate support to progress to elite sports.
Speaking at the recent unveiling of the Games’ logo and mascot, Olopade said Lagos had repeatedly demonstrated its ability to connect grassroots sports with the highest level of competition in Nigeria.
“Lagos will always put everything out to ensure things are done properly as we are about to kick-start what will be the best sports fiesta we will ever see in this country,” Olopade said.
“Deliberately, Malam Shehu Dikko and I knew that the only state that could bail us out and bridge that gap that has been so obvious in our sports is Lagos.
“Not just in organising, but proactively, Lagos has created a system that brings schoolchildren to the top echelon of our sports, and it is only fitting that we bring the next level of growth in sports to Lagos to host and showcase that we can do things better than people observe.
“This is very proactive, and this is what we are looking forward to. Lagos has consistently shown that it can lead from the front and bridge the gap that exists in our sports.”
The NSC also cited Lagos’ wide range of sporting venues as a major factor in its selection to host the multi-sport event.
The Teslim Balogun Stadium will serve as the main venue, while other facilities 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.
Institutional facilities such as the Lagos Tennis Club in Onikan, TBS Cricket Oval, Yaba College of Technology and the University of Lagos have also been made available for the Games.
Earlier this year, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu inaugurated a Local Organising Committee to coordinate the delivery of EKO 2026.
The committee is chaired by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Sam Egube, with the Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, and the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, serving as co-chairmen.
Beyond the sporting contests, the National Intermediate Games are expected to serve as a platform for identifying young talents, assessing their performances and preparing promising athletes for integration into Nigeria’s high-performance sports system.
