The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Sunday September 6, said the maiden National Intermediate Games, EKO 2026, will provide an important platform to showcase Nigeria’s sporting potential and discover the next generation of talents.
Olopade expressed confidence in Lagos State’s readiness to host the Games, commending Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the state government for their commitment to sports development and youth empowerment. He cited the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon as an example of the state’s continued support for major sporting events.
The NSC boss said the Intermediate Games would focus particularly on young athletes from secondary schools, recalling impressive performances by emerging talents at competitions in Asaba and Abeokuta. He noted that Lagos had demonstrated its capacity by putting systems and facilities in place ahead of the Games.
EKO 2026 is scheduled to hold in Lagos from Oct. 1 to Oct. 15 and is expected to attract more than 14,000 young athletes from across Nigeria. Olopade urged the technical committee and other stakeholders to give the Games the attention they deserve and ensure the initiative develops into a major national platform for sustained talent identification and development.
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