Category Archives: Banner

The Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has expressed confidence in Lagos State’s readiness to host the inaugural National Intermediate Games, EKO 2026, describing the event as a platform to showcase Nigeria’s sporting potential.

Speaking at a joint technical meeting ahead of the Games, Olopade commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government for their commitment to sports development and youth empowerment.

“When you look at the build-up to the first National Intermediate Games, you cannot but marvel at the leadership that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has given to sports in this country,” Olopade said.

He cited the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon as an example of the governor’s support for sporting events, noting that the race was retained and upgraded under Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

Olopade also emphasized the importance of discovering young talents through initiatives targeting secondary school athletes, recalling performances he witnessed at competitions in Asaba and Abeokuta.

According to him, Lagos has demonstrated through its preparations that it can provide the systems and facilities required to successfully host the Games. “You have not only started putting in place systems and facilities, but you have also brought out the best of your leadership to drive these Games,” he said.

The NSC boss added that the foundation being laid should ensure the Intermediate Games evolve into a national sporting platform beyond the inaugural edition. He urged the technical committee to give the event the attention it deserves and project it as one of Nigeria’s major sporting competitions.

Olopade further called on stakeholders to channel their energy into the Intermediate Games while efforts continue to address challenges in Nigerian football.

Scheduled for October 1–15, EKO 2026 is expected to bring together over 14,000 young athletes from across Nigeria, providing a platform for talent identification and development.

 

Table tennis legend Quadri Aruna has applauded the vision behind the National Intermediate Games, tagged Eko 2026, describing it as a groundbreaking initiative to discover Nigeria’s next generation of sporting talents.

The maiden edition of the tournament will be held in Lagos from October 1 to 15, featuring over 15,000 athletes from across the country competing in 28 sporting events across 10 venues.

Aruna, the only African player to have broken into the world’s top 10 rankings, paid a courtesy visit to Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, in Alausa, Ikeja. Accompanied by his wife, Ganiat, and their children, he expressed excitement about the multi-sports fiesta, hailing Lagos as Africa’s sports hub with a rich history of hosting world-class events.

“Sports in Nigeria has faced challenges, but this initiative is the best way to restore our lost glory. Returning to the grassroots is always the right approach, and this event will set us on the right path again. Kudos to the President and the National Sports Commission for bringing this to life. It’s going to be amazing, fun, and one of the best events ever,” Aruna said.

Reflecting on Lagos as host, Aruna noted that the state played a pivotal role in his career and is well-positioned to deliver a befitting tournament. “We’ve seen Lagos host several international events, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Commissioners consistently supporting sports. This is a golden opportunity for young athletes. They should embrace it, give their best, enjoy the experience, and learn as much as possible to succeed in life.”

Recalling his humble beginnings, Aruna shared: “I started from the streets of Oyo town at age seven, just playing for fun. I never imagined I would become one of the best players in the world. This event is an opportunity for all Nigerian youths, not just those in Lagos. They must be disciplined, determined, eager to learn, and believe in themselves. It doesn’t matter where they come from—everything is possible. Just as people say, ‘Oyo to the World,’ they too can rise from their towns to the world stage. This is their chance to showcase talent and achieve greatness.”

Omotoso, who also serves as Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee of the Eko 2026 LOC, described Aruna’s endorsement as highly symbolic, especially for an event hosted by Lagos.

“For me, it’s an exciting experience to see such solidarity from Aruna Quadri, one of the giants of table tennis. His support for the National Intermediate Games, the first of its kind, is significant. It shows what can be achieved when you put your mind to something. Aruna himself is a symbol of possibility—he started just like many of the athletes who will compete in these games. Seeing him endorse and encourage them will inspire energy, determination, and purpose. They will realize that from competing at the National Intermediate Games, they too can rise to the world stage and showcase their talent,” Omotoso said.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to consolidating its leadership in sports development, declaring that the hosting of the maiden National Intermediate Games, tagged Eko 2026, will be a milestone in the state’s sporting journey.

Speaking at the inauguration of 44 chairmen of sports associations in Lagos, the Governor emphasised that the Games are not merely a competition but a strategic initiative to nurture young athletes nationwide.

He explained that the multi-sport fiesta would provide a platform for emerging talents to showcase their skills, gain recognition from national handlers, and begin their journey toward continental and global excellence.

Sanwo-Olu, who places youth development at the heart of the State’s T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, pledged to personally inspect ongoing renovations of sporting facilities across Lagos in preparation for the event.

He pointed to Lagos’s recent successes at national competitions as evidence of what can be achieved when talent is supported by a functional system.

According to him, the state must continue to build a seamless pathway from schools to training grounds, competitions, and ultimately to national and international stages.

The Governor urged the newly inaugurated chairmen to prioritize grassroots development by identifying budding talents and creating sustainable structures that will transform them into champions.

He described their appointment as a significant step toward repositioning sports administration in Lagos, stressing that the state’s reputation as a Centre of Excellence must extend beyond talent discovery to include training opportunities, competitive platforms, and institutional frameworks that guarantee long-term success.

For Sanwo-Olu, sports are more than recreation. They are a vehicle for discipline, education, employment, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.

He noted that major sporting events such as Eko 2026 would generate opportunities across diverse sectors including hospitality, transportation, entertainment, media, technology, fitness, and sports medicine.

He further emphasized the importance of strong collaboration between government and the private sector, pointing out that increased private investment would provide a firmer foundation for sports and athlete development in Lagos.

The Governor also charged the chairmen to uphold transparency, accountability, and discipline in their leadership.

He urged them to maintain active competition calendars and ensure inclusivity by creating opportunities for women, girls, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups.

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.”

He added: “The initiative complements the Lagos State Government’s ongoing investment in sporting infrastructure, particularly at the school and grassroots levels, by creating better environments for young athletes to discover and develop their abilities.

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu noted that EKO 2026 will give young athletes the chance to showcase and refine their talents while establishing a system capable of retaining promising athletes in Nigeria,” Egube said.

He explained that the state’s investment in sports facilities is part of a broader strategy to strengthen sports development across Lagos.

According to the LOC helmsman, the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu began a comprehensive upgrade of sports facilities about three years ago, with projects spread across Surulere, Ifako, Bariga, Ikorodu, Epe, Agege, and Badagry.

He added that the Games would transcend competition by helping to build a sustainable grassroots sports system capable of producing athletes for Nigeria’s elite teams.

With thousands of young athletes expected to participate, EKO 2026 is positioned as a major platform for talent discovery and development, while giving Lagos the opportunity to demonstrate how grassroots athletes can be nurtured into future national and international stars.

As Lagos prepares to host the maiden National Intermediate Games — Eko 2026 — from October 1 to 15, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has turned its attention to one of the most powerful forces shaping public perception: the media.

With over 15,000 athletes expected to compete in 28 sports across 10 venues, the Games promise to be a landmark in Nigeria’s youth sports development. But beyond the logistics and the spectacle, the LOC recognises that the narrative woven around the event will be just as important as the competitions themselves.

At a media parley in Lagos, Gbenga Omotoso, Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee and Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, underscored the indispensable role of journalists, editors, and broadcasters in ensuring the success of the Games.

“We are aware of the power of the media and the significant role it has played in putting Lagos on the world map,” Omotoso said, describing the press as “formidable partners in progress.”

Omotoso praised the media’s longstanding support in projecting Lagos as Africa’s sporting hub, recalling how coverage of past events helped cement the city’s reputation for excellence.

He emphasized that the LOC is committed to transparency and collaboration, opening its doors to journalists for clarifications and welcoming constructive criticism.

“We want you to be our eyes. We welcome your criticisms when you see that we are doing it right, and we are ready to make amends based on your recommendations,” he noted.

The Commissioner also highlighted Lagos’ track record in staging landmark sporting events, from the maiden National Sports Festival in 1973 to what many still regard as the best-organized edition in 2012.

With Eko 2026, he assured, the city is determined to raise the bar yet again, aligning with global standards and setting new benchmarks for youth sports in Africa.

For the LOC, the media is not just a messenger but a collaborator in shaping the future of Nigerian sports.

By amplifying the stories of young athletes and holding organizers accountable, the press will play a central role in ensuring that Eko 2026 is remembered not only as a competition but as a turning point in the nation’s sporting journey.