Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), ”CoalCity Games 2026”, and Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barrister Lloyd Ikechukwu Ekweremadu, has asserted that the state, will be aiming to win the 23rd edition of National Sports Festival (NSF) billed to hold in Enugu September, 2026.
Speaking shortly after the inauguration of the LOC, by Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, an elated Ekweremadu, expressed confidence that Governor Mbah, is committed to Enugu State hosting to win the games.
“He (Gov Mbah), appreciates the steps that are being taken to ensure that Enugu State hosts to win, and bring back our athletes who are competing for various other states”.
“We have started a comprehensive recruitment of athletes We have made contacts to our athletes and indigenes , elite athletes in and outside Nigeria. The idea is to have more robust contingent ahead of the games. I think we will host to win”, he said.
He assured that facilities will be revamped while new ones will be built.
“You heard His Excellency, saying that Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium , which is the flagship of facilities for the festival is going to be revamped so comprehensively that it is going to be unrecognizable. Then secondly, those people who have taken time to visit Awgu Games Village, knows that it is an empty piece of land. His Excellency said a brand new Multi- purpose Games Village will be built in Awgu Games Village.The preliminary project designs have been done and those other facilities will be revamped and upgraded; like the, Aquatic Centre, in Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium” .
He expressed optimism that the state will meet the target of hosting CoalCity Games, in 2026.
“His Excellency is committed to this project. He has the vision of what this is supposed to be and he has the in-depth grasp of every idea of the details of planning, organising and execution of a national event,” he stated.
The Chief Operating Officer, NPFL , and member of the LOC, Davidson Owumi, in his assessment of the possibility of Enugu State meeting the challenges of hosting the games, noted, that the state has the capacity to host Nigeria.
“It’s very possible considering the antecedent of the Governor and the members of LOC and the technicalities of the committee. It is possible to achieve the mandate. Considering ,the very friendly and conducive atmosphere in Enugu state, gives it an edge and in terms of security and affordability of almost every thing ”.
“We need to concentrate on coordination and proper organisation,” stated a release signed by Dan Onwuegbuna, Director, Information, Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports.
