National Sports Commission Director-General Bukola Olopade believes Lagos is fully prepared to stage the first National Intermediate Games, EKO 2026, an event he says will highlight Nigeria’s depth of sporting talent.
Lagos earns praise for preparations
At a joint technical session held before the competition, Olopade praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government for their continued investment in sport and their efforts to empower young people.
Olopade said the preparations for the maiden Games had underlined the governor’s strong leadership in Nigerian sport, adding that Sanwo-Olu’s influence could be seen in the backing given to major events.
He pointed to the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon as a clear example. The race survived and received further improvements during Sanwo-Olu’s tenure, he noted.
The NSC chief also said Lagos had shown it could deliver the infrastructure and organisational framework needed for a successful tournament. He noted that the state had already begun building the necessary systems and facilities while applying strong leadership to the project.
Focus on the next generation
Olopade stressed that competitions aimed at secondary school athletes would be vital to finding and developing future stars. He referred to performances he had observed at events in Asaba and Abeokuta as evidence of the talent available among young competitors.
- The Intermediate Games are intended to identify promising athletes at an early stage.
- The competition will offer young sportsmen and sportswomen a route towards structured development.
- Performances at previous events in Asaba and Abeokuta reinforced the need for such talent-focused initiatives.
Building a lasting national competition
Olopade said the work now under way should establish a foundation strong enough for the Intermediate Games to grow into a major national sporting event rather than remain a one-off occasion. He asked the technical committee to give the competition the level of care it requires and to promote it as one of Nigeria’s leading sports gatherings.
He also encouraged stakeholders to direct their efforts towards EKO 2026 as work continues to tackle wider problems affecting Nigerian football.
EKO 2026 at a glance
- Dates: October 1–15
- Expected participation: More than 14,000 young athletes
- Reach: Competitors from across Nigeria
- Purpose: Talent discovery and the development of emerging athletes
