Directors of sports across Nigerian states have threatened to boycott the 2026 National Sports Festival, known as the Coal City Games, unless the National Sports Commission (NSC) reinstates traditional sports, Olympic events, and board games that were removed from the festival. The NSC, however, insists that only 15 sports and six optional games will be featured.
Directors' Position
In a letter titled “Position of Forum of State Directors of Sports/General Managers,” signed by Secretary and Oyo State Director of Sports Tunde Ajibike, the directors expressed strong opposition to the reduction. They stated that the NSC did not honor an agreement made at the Calabar meeting, which required state directors to be actively involved in selecting sports for the festival. The directors were excluded from the process, and they reject this entirely.
The forum demanded the reinstatement of traditional sports, Olympic events, and board games. They warned that failure to do so would compel directors across the country to withdraw participation from the festival. They argued that the NSC does not manage athletes directly at the state level and may not understand the resources needed for year-round training. Removing sports after such investments, with unclear alternative arrangements, is unacceptable.
Concerns Over Paralympic Qualification
The directors also questioned the suggestion that participation in Paralympic Games serves as a qualification criterion for the National Sports Festival, asking if any statutory provision supports this claim.
Northern States' Threat
Following the directors' ultimatum, some northern states have threatened to stay away from the Coal City 2026 Games. Niger State Sports Commission chairman Abdullahi Masu described the reduction from 40 to 15 sports as unjustifiable and detrimental to sports development. He noted that northern states have invested heavily in training athletes for now-excluded events, arguing that the decision marginalizes the region, which has a comparative advantage in team sports. He warned that participation under these conditions would waste public funds, deny athletes competition opportunities, and increase unemployment among athletes, undermining grassroots development.
NSC Response
NSC Director General Bukola Olopade called the opposition unfortunate, stating that hosting the festival is expensive and the NSC aims to ease the burden on host states. He cited the Olympic Games, where sports were reduced from 35 to 25 without protest. He questioned when Nigerian handball, volleyball, or other ball games last qualified for the Olympics. Olopade explained that ball games can no longer be accommodated in the festival, and the NSC has asked federation presidents to develop two to three yearly programs, which the NSC will support financially. He concluded that the festival will proceed with 15 sports.
