NSC Backs Enugu’s Readiness As Mbah Vows No Shift To National Sports Festival

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has commended Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, for his commitment to ensuring the successful hosting of the 23rd National Sports Festival, tagged Coal City Games Enugu 2026.

The NSC Director-General, Bukola Olopade, gave the commendation during an inspection tour of the Awgu Games Village, where preparations are ongoing for the festival scheduled to hold from November 27 to December 11, 2026.

Olopade praised Mbah for personally monitoring the state’s preparations and overseeing extensive infrastructural development ahead of the multi-sport event.

“We thank and sincerely appreciate the Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, for the remarkable infrastructural facelift happening across Enugu State and his commitment to ensuring that the Festival takes place as scheduled,” Olopade said.

He described the National Sports Festival as “the Nigerian Olympics”, stressing that its impact goes beyond sporting activities.

“The National Sports Festival is the Nigerian Olympics. Its impact transcends sports. It impacts the economy at the micro and macro levels, creates wealth, stimulates small businesses, creates jobs and promotes national unity, tourism and hospitality,” he said.

During the inspection, Mbah reaffirmed that Enugu would not seek an extension of the November 27 opening date, despite the scale of construction and renovation work underway.

The Governor said the state had made a commitment to deliver one of the most memorable editions of the National Sports Festival and would ensure that the facilities are ready before the opening ceremony.

“Recall the commitment we made as a government that we are going to make the 23rd National Sports Festival one of the most memorable festivals in the history of the event,” Mbah said.

“These facilities will be ready. I have personally committed to the team from the National Sports Commission, who came on a monitoring visit, that we are not interested in shifting the date. The dates are already fixed for the 23rd National Sports Festival.”

At the Awgu Games Village, work is progressing on a 1,000-capacity-bed hostel, indoor and outdoor courts, a FIFA-standard football pitch and an eight-lane athletics track.

Mbah also disclosed that the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium is undergoing comprehensive reconstruction, including a new FIFA-standard football pitch and athletics track, upgraded spectator stands, changing rooms, floodlighting and modern access-control systems.

Olopade said the infrastructure being developed would provide a lasting legacy for Enugu State beyond the festival.

The NSC reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Enugu State Government and the Local Organising Committee to deliver a successful and memorable 23rd National Sports Festival.