*’We Expect Sports Festival That Media Will Write, After We Conclude, That We Met World Standards, Surpassed Expectations’
*This Will Be Biggest, Highest-Sponsored Sports Festival In Nigeria’s History, DG NSC Says
By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
Fresh from hosting a successful Enugu City International Marathon at the weekend, featuring athletes from other countries, Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, is set to accomplish his promise of making the South-East state Africa’s sporting destination.
Alongside officials of the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Governor has unveiled the official mascot for the 2026 National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged ‘Coal City Games’, assuring that the state would deliver a competition that meets international standards.
The mascot, named ‘Odum Eze, Lion King’, was unveiled by Mbah at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, at the weekend.
Governor Mbah, who was represented by the state Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, said the choice of the lion was deliberate, noting that it represented the State’s seat of power, while also symbolising strength, courage, leadership, and discipline.
According to him, the same qualities would also be expected of participating athletes in the games, which will hold from 27 November-11 December, 2026.
“We expect a sports festival that will be defined by integrity. We expect a sports festival that will depict Nigerian strength, courage, and utmost discipline.
“We expect a sports festival that the media will write, after we have concluded, that we met world standards and surpassed all expectations,” he said.
He, however, lamented that Nigeria, which once enjoyed a strong reputation in international sports, had lost ground and needed to return to a system that nurtured talents from the grassroots.
The Governor, therefore, called on the NSC to pay greater attention to school sports as part of efforts to revive sports development and discover young talents across the country.
Earlier, Director-General (DG), NSC, Bukola Olapade, expressed excitement at Enugu’s hosting rights and preparations, as the state would become the second South-East state to host the NSC since Imo State hosted it in 1998.
Olapade, who described Enugu as his home state, said the hosting rights represented a significant development for the region and the state, noting that the festival had historically rotated largely between the South-West and South-South regions before Enugu emerged as the next host in the South-East.
The NSC boss said an inspection of facilities in the state showed that Enugu was well prepared for the games, describing the State’s security and the development of infrastructure as top notch.
“After the inspection yesterday, we came to the conclusion that Enugu is ready to take the National Sports Festival to unprecedented heights. We are very much impressed with what is going on in Enugu,” he stated.
The DG, however, disclosed that some facilities, including the swimming pool and indoor sports hall, still required finishing touches, expressing confidence that they would be completed before the festival begins in November.
Olapade announced that the Federal Government had also decided to support host states with sports infrastructure, rather than leave the responsibility entirely to state governments.
He expressed optimism that the Coal City Games would set a new record for the NSF, describing it as the most highly sponsored edition in the competition’s history.
“This is going to be the biggest and highest-sponsored sports festival in the history of Nigeria,” he declared.
Speaking to newsmen, the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, reiterated Gov. Mbah’s determination to not only deliver a record-breaking festival in terms of facilities and organisation, but also to position Enugu State as the sports capital of Africa.
“If you look at the rate and magnitude of work going on at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, the Games Village at Awgu, and the infrastructure generally in the state, you would agree that Enugu State is preparing to host to win and to set new records in organisation and infrastructure,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the official sponsor of the 2026 NSF, Premium Trust Bank (PTB), has reiterated its commitment to the Coal City Games and sports development in the country.
Represented by the bank’s Chief Business Officer, South-South, Aniebet Offiong, it said PTB was excited to partner with Enugu State and NSC to deliver a memorable NSF come November and December.
Also at the mascot-unveiling event were the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel; President, Paralympic Committee of Nigeria (PCN), Sunday Odebode; and the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, among a host of others.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Odum Eze flanked by two officials.
