Category Archives: Uncategorized

Former Nigerian Olympian and sports administrator, Yusuf Alli, has stated that the maiden National Intermediate Games, branded EKO 2026, will serve as a litmus test for states genuinely investing in grassroots athlete development versus those relying on recruiting established talents to boost medal counts.

Scheduled to run from October 1 to 15 in Lagos, EKO 2026 will feature athletes aged 15 to 18 competing across 28 sports. Organisers expect more than 14,000 athletes from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to participate in the inaugural edition.

Alli, who is part of the organizing structure, emphasized that the competition is designed to strengthen the pathway between youth and senior sports. “This will expose states. States that just go and buy athletes for festivals — this will determine the ones that have really been training,” he said.

He noted that the Games will shift focus from short-term medal success to identifying states with sustainable systems for producing athletes. “I know for sure that states like Edo and Lagos train athletes very well. It will come to play for us to see the states that have been training athletes,” Alli added.

The issue of athlete recruitment has long been debated in Nigeria’s multi-sport competitions. The National Sports Festival, the country’s flagship event, has often been dominated by a handful of states. Delta State, for example, retained its title at the 2025 edition in Ogun, winning 323 medals, including 122 gold. At the youth level, however, Lagos showcased the strength of its development program by topping the medal table at the 2025 National Youth Games in Asaba with 52 gold medals.

This contrast underscores the significance of EKO 2026. Rather than replicating the established hierarchy of the National Sports Festival, the Intermediate Games could reveal which states have strong pipelines of athletes progressing through the youth ranks.

The age structure is particularly critical. By targeting athletes between 15 and 19, the Games occupy a transitional stage where competitors move beyond introductory youth competition and begin preparing for senior sport. Alli confirmed that talent identification teams will monitor performances closely: “We look at the extra-talented athletes that may not have what it takes now, but may have what it takes in the future. Those are the ones we are really looking to concentrate on.”

For Alli, the true value of EKO 2026 will not be measured solely by the medal table but by the number of young athletes identified, developed, and retained by their states as they progress toward senior competition. The Games are expected to become a benchmark for Nigeria’s grassroots sports system — testing whether states are building sustainable talent pipelines or simply assembling teams for short-term success.

The Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA) has officially commenced trials to select athletes for the maiden National Intermediate Games, Eko 2026.

The one-day session is scheduled to take place at Ikoyi Club 1938 on Saturday, August 29, setting the tone for what promises to be a spirited campaign.

Speaking on the initiative, LSTTA Chairman, Tunji Lawal, underscored the importance of the exercise in sustaining Lagos’ dominance in table tennis while ensuring that only the most deserving athletes earn their place.

“We want to ensure that we assemble a strong team that can battle against any team in the country,” Lawal stated.

He emphasized that the trials will be continuous until the final squad is confirmed, with training running concurrently.

“No player should feel indispensable. Only the best will earn the right to represent Lagos. Lagos is known for excellence, and we cannot go below this standard in our approach to the first National Intermediate Games,” he added.

A total of 14 athletes — seven boys and seven girls — will participate in the trials. The girls’ lineup includes Aishat Rabiu, Ifeoluwa Ajasa, Faisat Musbau, Rianat Olanrewaju, Taiwo Akanbi, Halimat Rasheed, and Hayisat Zakariah.

The boys’ roster features African U-19 champion Matthew Kuti, alongside Quadri Atunwon, Tobi Adebakin, Usman Ayoola, Ahmed Ayatulahi, Adeoye Hussein, and Adesanya Sodiq.

Each athlete represents not only individual ambition but also the collective dream of Lagos to maintain its leadership in Nigerian table tennis.

Scheduled to run from October 1 to 15, Eko 2026 will bring together over 15,000 of Nigeria’s most talented athletes aged 15 to 18.

As the nation’s premier intermediate multi-sport competition, the Games is designed to bridge the gap between amateur and elite national contests. They provide a pathway for emerging talent to compete at the highest national standard while preparing for success on continental and global stages.

The LSTTA remains committed to ensuring that Lagos not only participates but excels, setting the benchmark for excellence at Eko 2026.

Meanwhile, the monthly cadet tournament organized by LSTTA at Lagos Country Club reaffirmed the depth of talent within the state with Umar Ayoola and Aminat Lawal emerging as champions in the boys’ and girls’ categories respectively, further highlighting the strength of Lagos’ pipeline of young players.

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.

The governor spoke during an inspection of ongoing rehabilitation works at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere — one of the major venues for the Games. He explained that the competition would not only help discover and develop talents but also establish a system capable of retaining promising athletes in Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu added that Lagos’ investment in sporting infrastructure formed part of a broader strategy to strengthen sports development across the state. Over the past three years, his administration has embarked on comprehensive upgrades of facilities in Surulere, Ifako, Bariga, Ikorodu, Epe, Agege, and Badagry.

At Teslim Balogun Stadium, the governor inspected the football and athletics arenas, indoor sports hall, volleyball court, and swimming pool.

He revealed that the main bowl was undergoing major reconstruction, with the football pitch upgraded to FIFA standards and natural grass already installed. The tartan track is expected to be completed within four to six weeks, while work on the swimming pool and other facilities will be finished ahead of the Games.

Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence that Teslim Balogun Stadium and other venues would meet required standards before October, noting that the National Intermediate Games had added urgency to the state’s rehabilitation efforts.

He stressed that the Games would go beyond competition, 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 will serve as a major platform for talent identification and showcase Lagos’ commitment to nurturing grassroots athletes into future national and international stars.