The maiden National Intermediate Games, tagged EKO 2026, will go beyond the competition arena by fostering the development of school sports and creating a sustainable pathway for identifying and nurturing young talents.
Scheduled to hold in Lagos from October 1 to 15, 2026, the Games is expected to attract about 15,000 athletes from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Local Organising Committee (LOC), chaired by the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Sam Egube, with Lekan Fatodu (Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission) and Mobolaji Ogunlende (Commissioner for Youth and Social Development) as co-chairmen, emphasised that EKO 2026 will not be treated as a one-off sporting event.
Instead, the Games will serve as a sustainable platform for talent identification, monitoring, and development, while strengthening the link between school sports, grassroots participation, and elite competition.
“This is a commitment to human development and to encouraging our sporting system,” Egube said. “Immediately after the event, athletes will benefit from tangible incentives, opportunities for support, and training. As we build new schools, modern sporting facilities are integrated, ensuring that talents are nurtured within school programmes.”
