Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, recently inspected ongoing rehabilitation work at the Teslim Balogun Stadium and other sports facilities in preparation for the inaugural National Intermediate Sports Festival, also known as EKO 2026. The inspection comes as Lagos prepares to host thousands of young athletes from across Nigeria for the competition.
During his inspection, Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that significant progress has been made on the facilities. He confirmed that the natural-grass pitch at Teslim Balogun Stadium is complete, with work on the new tartan track expected to conclude in the coming weeks. Additionally, indoor halls, swimming pools, and other sports facilities are undergoing upgrades to accommodate the athletes.
The governor highlighted that the rehabilitation of sports facilities is part of the state’s broader commitment to grassroots sports development. He mentioned that over the past three years, sports centres in areas such as Surulere, Ikorodu, Epe, Agege, and Badagry have been rebuilt. This initiative aims to provide quality facilities close to home for young people, enabling them to discover their talents and compete confidently within Nigeria.
EKO 2026 Preparations Underway
The inspection by Governor Sanwo-Olu follows other key milestones in the preparations for EKO 2026. Weeks prior, Lagos unveiled the official logo and mascot for the Games. The festival is scheduled to run from 1 to 15 October 2026 and is expected to gather young athletes from all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and eligible Nigerian athletes residing in the diaspora.
The National Sports Commission conceived the Intermediate Games to serve as a structured pathway between the National Youth Games and the National Sports Festival. This framework is designed to identify and nurture young talent, guiding them towards elite competition. The Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, affirmed the state’s dedication to ensuring a successful first edition of the Games.
Mr. Fatodu also stated that rehabilitation efforts at the Teslim Balogun Stadium are proceeding on schedule. To supplement the main venues, the state is collaborating with private institutions to secure additional facilities. He specifically cited the British International School in Lekki as one of the private venues obtained through these partnerships for the Games.
The Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, explained that Lagos was selected as the host due to its well-established structure for grassroots sports development. He noted that the state has demonstrated an effective system for identifying athletes at the school level and developing their skills for higher-level competition. Mr. Olopade believes the Games will help bridge the gap between youth-level competitions and the National Sports Festival, offering young athletes a more structured route into advanced sports.
The commission also plans to conduct diaspora trials in London for eligible Nigerian athletes abroad. Successful participants from these trials are anticipated to compete in Lagos. With the Games approaching, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed Lagos’s readiness to welcome the next generation of Nigerian athletes.
Facility Upgrades and Readiness
Governor Sanwo-Olu revealed that approximately 15,000 athletes from across the country are expected to participate in the maiden edition of the festival. He confirmed that various sporting facilities throughout Lagos would be utilized to host the events. The governor assured that the ongoing rehabilitation and upgrade of these facilities would be completed before the competition commences.
He indicated that the state has about 60 days to finalize preparations, ensuring that all facilities meet international standards for the thousands of young athletes arriving in Lagos. Lagos was chosen by the National Sports Commission about two months prior, prompting an intensification of work on the state’s sporting infrastructure. This competition is seen as an opportunity to strengthen grassroots sports development and identify young talents.
During his inspection at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Governor Sanwo-Olu examined the main football and athletics arena, indoor sports facilities, the volleyball court, and the swimming pool. He noted that the main football pitch is being upgraded to FIFA standards, aiming for it to become one of the best football pitches in the country upon completion. The natural grass has been laid, and the wet ring and tartan track are also expected to be completed within the next four to six weeks.
Extensive renovation is also underway in the indoor sports hall, which includes the installation of new roofing, seating, flooring, and air-conditioning systems. While identifying the swimming pool as an area requiring urgent attention, Governor Sanwo-Olu assured that it would be ready for the Games. Lagos is ready to welcome the next generation of Nigerian athletes.
Source: premiumtimesng.com