Olopade assures Enugu 2026 will hold as facilities near completion

Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has reaffirmed that the 23rd National Sports Festival, tagged Enugu 2026, will hold as scheduled on November 28, with key sporting facilities in the host city nearing completion.

Olopade gave the assurance after inspecting facilities in Enugu, where he expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and other venues designated for the multi-sport event.

He disclosed that the swimming pool was expected to be ready by November 18, while funding and equipment for the festival had been secured as preparations entered their final phase.

“The tartan track will be laid in the coming days, and the buses to transport the athletes are ready,” he said.

Olopade dismisses postponement speculation

Reacting to suggestions that the festival could be postponed, the NSC chief criticised the speculation, insisting that the organisers had already made their position clear.

“When Lagos asked for postponement, we came out confidently to tell the public. Heaven did not fall,” Olopade said.

“Suggesting that it will be postponed after announcements from Enugu State and the NSC suggests that we are deceiving the nation. NOT NICE AT ALL.”

His comments come as preparations intensify across the host state, with the Commission maintaining that the event will commence on the announced date.

Sponsorship projected to reach ₦15bn

Olopade also revealed that Enugu 2026 is projected to become the most sponsored National Sports Festival in the competition’s history, with sponsorship expected to reach between ₦12 billion and ₦15 billion.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to declare the festival open on November 28, while approximately 12,000 athletes and officials are scheduled to arrive in Enugu from November 26.

The NSC Director-General commended Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah for his commitment to hosting the event, describing the state as a secure and welcoming destination for athletes and other stakeholders.

Enugu prepares to host 36 states, FCT

The festival, tagged Enugu 2026 and scheduled to begin on November 28, will bring together athletes from Nigeria‘s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to compete in various sporting disciplines.

The National Sports Festival remains a major platform for discovering and developing sporting talents, while providing athletes with an opportunity to compete at national level.

With key facilities approaching completion, transport arrangements in place and sponsorship prospects strengthening, Olopade maintained that preparations were on course for the festival to proceed as scheduled.

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