The Local Organising Committee for the first National Intermediate Games, branded EKO 2026, has released the competition’s official logo and mascot as preparations intensify for a youth multi-sport event scheduled for Lagos from October 1 to October 15, 2026. The announcement signals that the inaugural edition is moving from planning into visible execution ahead of what organisers expect to be a major showcase for emerging talent.
The launch ceremony was held at the Marriott Hotel in Ikeja, where senior figures from the National Sports Commission, the Lagos State Sports Commission, members of the Main Organising Committee and the Local Organising Committee, along with government representatives and development partners, were in attendance.
Key attendees included Sam Egube, the chair of the Local Organising Committee and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor; Lekan Fatodu, the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission and co-chair of the Local Organising Committee; Mobolaji Ogunlende, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development and co-chair of the Local Organising Committee; and Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission.
The official logo is designed to highlight Lagos’ cultural roots and civic identity. It features the well-known Eyo cap, the Opambata emblem, the inscription “EKO,” and vibrant swirling patterns that represent unity and diversity. Three upward-pointing stars are also included to symbolise ambition, excellence and the future direction of Nigerian sport.
Organisers also unveiled the official mascot, Lasgidi, taking inspiration from the dolphin. The choice reflects Lagos’ reputation as the “City of Aquatic Splendour,” with the mascot intended to connect the event to the city’s maritime character.
In explaining the concept behind Lasgidi, organisers said the character is meant to represent resilience, self-belief, youthful enthusiasm and the dynamic energy of Lagos’ young population.
Speaking at the unveiling, Local Organising Committee chair Sam Egube called the moment a defining milestone for the competition. He said the organisers were pleased to gather for the launch and that, when the history of the Games is told, they would be proud to have been part of the process from the very beginning.
Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission, stated that Lagos deserved to host the maiden edition due to its steady investment in grassroots sport and the development of athletes. She described the move as forward-thinking and said the state has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to lead and help narrow gaps within the national sporting system.
Olopade added that the event is not simply about staging a competition, pointing instead to the Lagos Sports Commission’s role in elevating school sports and nurturing young talents to top levels. She said it is therefore fitting that the next stage of that growth should begin in Lagos, with the state proving it can deliver better than many expected.
Olopade also explained the purpose behind the National Intermediate Games, saying they were created to bridge the step between the National Youth Games and the National Sports Festival. By doing so, the organisers aim to offer athletes a more structured route as they move from youth competition towards elite levels.
She further disclosed that all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and invited Nigerian athletes based in the diaspora are expected to take part. Trials for diaspora athletes will be staged in London on July 17, and those who succeed will earn opportunities to compete at the Lagos event.
Olopade said the initiative matches the Federal Government’s wider commitment to strengthening talent identification and opening pathways for young Nigerians worldwide to represent the country in future international competitions.
Presenting the Games’ visual identity, Lekan Fatodu—Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission and co-chair of the Local Organising Committee—said the unveiling reflected the state’s preparedness to deliver an event meeting international standards. He argued that what was being seen at the ceremony demonstrated the seriousness and commitment behind the promise made by Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu that the National Intermediate Games would be a spectacular addition to Nigeria’s sporting calendar.
Fatodu stressed that the competition will offer a meaningful stage for rising athletes to display their abilities, earn recognition at national level and build momentum for their sporting careers. He also reassured stakeholders that work on the venues is progressing, noting that renovation of the Teslim Balogun Stadium is at an advanced stage.
According to Fatodu, partnerships with private facilities, including the British International School in Lekki, would supplement public infrastructure to ensure the Games can be hosted with world-class facilities. He added that contractors are being pushed to meet set timelines, saying that anyone who has visited Teslim Balogun Stadium in recent months would understand it has been a construction site and that the organisers are accelerating progress.
Mobolaji Ogunlende, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development and co-chair of the Local Organising Committee, described the unveiling as another important checkpoint in the lead-up to the Games. He said the event is expected to inspire young athletes, strengthen sporting excellence, support youth development and reinforce Lagos’ position as Nigeria’s foremost centre for sports growth.
The National Intermediate Games, organisers said, are a flagship initiative of the National Sports Commission designed to strengthen Nigeria’s athlete development pathway. By providing continued competitive opportunities, the Games are intended to help young talents make the transition from grassroots participation into the elite game.
With Lagos State hosting the inaugural edition, EKO 2026 is expected to draw thousands of athletes from across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and the Nigerian diaspora, positioning the event as one of the country’s leading youth sporting festivals.
