The National Sports Commission (NSC), has reaffirmed that the 23rd National Sports Festival, tagged Enugu 2026, will commence as scheduled on November 28.
The Director-General of the Commission, Bukola Olopade, who gave the assurance during an inspection of sporting facilities in Enugu, dismissed speculations about a possible postponement, expressed satisfaction with the pace of work at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and other venues designated for the national sporting competition.
He said preparations had reached an advanced stage, pointing out that the swimming pool was expected to be completed by November 18, while arrangements for funding, sporting equipment and athletes’ transportation had been concluded.
Olopade revealed that the tartan track would also be laid in the coming days, adding that buses for transporting athletes during the festival were ready.
He described as unnecessary, suggestions that the festival be postponed, positing that both the commission and the Enugu State Government had already made their position on the event clear.
“When Lagos asked for postponement, we came out confidently to tell the public. Heaven did not fall,” he said.
According to him, suggesting a postponement after official announcements by the state government and the NSC would mean questioning the credibility of the organisers.
Olopade further disclosed that Enugu 2026 was projected to attract between ₦12 billion and ₦15 billion in sponsorship, potentially making it the most commercially supported National Sports Festival in Nigeria’s history.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to officially declare the festival open on November 28, with about 12,000 athletes and officials scheduled to arrive in Enugu from November 26.
The NSC DG commended the Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, for his commitment to hosting the competition, describing Enugu as a secure and welcoming environment for participating athletes, officials and other stakeholders.
The 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival will feature athletes from the 36 states of the country, and the Federal Capital Territory in several sporting activities.
