By Olasunkanmi Akoni and Shekinah Ojile
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its readiness to host the maiden National Intermediate Games, Eko 2026, scheduled to hold from October 1 to 15, with between 13,000 and 15,000 athletes aged 15 to 18 expected to participate.
Speaking at a media parley ahead of the Games in Alausa, Ikeja, on Tuesday, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, LOC, Sam Egube, said the event would go beyond sporting competition to promote youth development, national unity and grassroots sports.
Egube said the Games would feature 28 sporting disciplines across several venues in Lagos, including Teslim Balogun Stadium, National Stadium Complex, Rowe Park, Yaba College of Technology, University of Lagos, Elebata Sports Council Centre, Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval and Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
He described the Games as an opportunity to bring young athletes from across the country together in Lagos, saying sports could promote unity across religious, ethnic and tribal divides.
According to him, the event would also create pathways for young athletes to progress from grassroots competitions to the National Sports Festival and eventually continental and international competitions.
Egube added that Eko 2026 was expected to generate economic activities in Lagos by creating opportunities for small businesses involved in providing goods and services during the Games.
He called on the media to play a significant role in projecting the achievements of the young athletes and promoting Nigeria’s sporting development.
Egube said the athletes represented the country’s hope for the future, stressing the need to highlight Nigeria’s progress and sporting talents.
Earlier, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said Lagos was determined to deliver an excellent hosting of the Games, noting that the state had a track record of successfully hosting major sporting events.
Omotoso said the Games were designed to provide a link between young sporting talents and professional athletes by identifying and nurturing athletes who could represent Nigeria in the future.
He appealed to journalists to support the state through accurate and extensive coverage, saying the success of the Games could not be achieved without the partnership of the media.
The Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission and Co-Chairman of the LOC, Lekan Fatodu, said the Games would provide a transition between the National Youth Games and the National Sports Festival.
Fatodu said Lagos was determined to eliminate age cheating in youth sports and ensure that athletes competed within their appropriate age categories.
He disclosed that 31 sporting events would be held across 28 disciplines, with 10 facilities being utilised for the Games.
According to him, the University of Lagos’ Jelili Omotola facility would host combat sports.
Fatodu said the Games would help create a sustainable pipeline for young athletes to develop while reducing the possibility of athletes using multiple identities in competitions.
He described sports as more than entertainment, saying it could serve as a tool for diplomacy and national unity, particularly with the participation of all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development and Co-Chairman of the LOC, Mobolaji Ogunlende, said only 37 days remained before the commencement of the Games, stressing that every day counted in the preparations.
He expressed confidence in Lagos’ ability to deliver a world-class event, saying the state had been tested and trusted in hosting major events.
The officials appealed to media organisations to sustain coverage of the Games and help showcase the young athletes and the broader objectives of Eko 2026.
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