Lagos State is set to host the inaugural Eko 2026 National Intermediate Games from October 1 to 15, with between 13,000 and 15,000 young athletes expected to compete across 28 sporting disciplines.
The competition, which is designed for athletes aged 15 to 18, is expected to bring together emerging sporting talents from across Nigeria and provide a structured transition between junior-level competitions and elite national sports.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Sam Egube, disclosed the plans at a media briefing held on Tuesday at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Lagos, where he called for continued collaboration with the media ahead of the Games.
Egube described the media as an important partner in promoting youth development, sports and national cohesion, saying the competition would provide an opportunity for young Nigerians from different backgrounds to meet and compete on a common platform.
According to him, the Games are intended not only to determine winners but also to strengthen grassroots sports development, identify emerging talents and create opportunities for athletes to progress to higher levels of competition.
The Games will be staged at several sporting venues across Lagos, including the Teslim Balogun Stadium, National Stadium Complex, Rowe Park, Yaba College of Technology, University of Lagos, Agege Sports Centre, Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval and Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
Egube said the influx of athletes, officials and spectators would also create economic opportunities for small businesses, particularly those operating in hospitality, transportation, food services and other areas linked to major sporting events.
Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the state was preparing to host what he described as Nigeria’s first National Intermediate Games, with the primary objective of discovering and nurturing athletes who could eventually represent the country at national and international competitions.
Omotoso reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensuring a well-organised tournament, noting that dedicated committees had been established to oversee critical areas including security, transportation and athletes’ welfare.
The government is also expected to coordinate logistics across the various competition venues to ensure that athletes and officials can move efficiently during the 15-day event.
Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, explained that the Intermediate Games were conceived to address a gap in Nigeria’s sporting development structure.
He said the competition would serve as a bridge between the Under-15 Youth Games and the National Sports Festival, giving athletes an intermediate platform to continue developing their abilities before moving into senior competitions.
Fatodu said the structured pathway would allow promising athletes to gain competitive experience while preparing them for the demands of higher-level sporting events.
