The Chairman, Local Organising Committee CoalCity Games 2026, and Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barrister Lloyd Ikechukwu Ekweremadu, said the state, will be aiming to win the 23rd National Sports Festival holding in Enugu September, 2026.
Speaking after the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) by Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, Ekweremadu, noted that with the support of Governor Peter Mbah, Enugu is committed to hosting to win the games.
“He appreciates the steps that are to be taken to ensure that Enugu State hosts to win, and bring back our athletes who are competing for various other states,” Ekweremadu explained.
“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 hinted further that facilities will be revamped while fresh ones will be built.
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“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, I am sure in Enugu, 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 .The preliminary project designs have been done and those other facilities will be revamped. And you talk about other facilities that will have to be upgraded and those that will have to be done fresh like the, Aquatic Centre, in Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.”
He expressed, confidence that the state will meet the target of hosting CoalCity Games, in 2026.
“His Excellency, is committed to this project. Governor Peter Mbah, 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 ,LOC, Chief 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 is 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 everything ”.
” We need to concentrate on coordination and proper organisation,” he said.