Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said the inaugural National Intermediate Games, EKO 2026, will provide a vital platform to identify, harness, and retain Nigeria’s young sporting talents before they progress to the elite level.
Scheduled for October 1–15, the Games are expected to feature between 14,000 and 15,000 athletes.
Governor Sanwo-Olu described the event as a landmark opportunity to strengthen grassroots sports development and create pathways for emerging athletes to realise their potential.
He noted that Lagos accepted the hosting rights after the National Sports Commission selected the state as the venue for the maiden edition of the National Intermediate Games.
“We are going to be the first state and the first host of this sports festival that will help us achieve what we have all been talking about. We want to hold grassroots sports. We want to encourage young people before they begin to leave. We want to nurture and develop all our children,” Sanwo-Olu said.
