Enugu 2026 National Sports Festival Scheduled for November 27 to December 11
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially announced that the 2026 National Sports Festival, known as the Coal City Games, will take place from November 27 to December 11 this year in Enugu State. This declaration follows the first meeting of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) held in Abuja, where detailed plans for the event were unveiled.
Key Dates and Arrangements for the Festival
NSC Director General, Bukola Olopade, revealed that states participating in the festival are expected to arrive on November 25 and 26, with the opening ceremony set for November 27. Olopade emphasized that all dates are sacrosanct, ensuring a strict adherence to the schedule. The festival will conclude on December 11, marking a two-week period of intense athletic competition.
Governor Peter Mbah Commended for Enthusiasm and Infrastructure Development
Olopade praised Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, for his tremendous enthusiasm and aggressive approach to constructing and completing facilities for the Games. He stated, "I must commend the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, who has shown tremendous enthusiasm in the aggression with which facilities are being built and completed for the Games. This is highly commendable." This endorsement highlights the state's commitment to hosting a successful event.
Record-Breaking Sponsorship and Funding Expectations
The Director General expressed confidence that the Coal City Games will set a new benchmark as the best sponsored and funded games in Nigeria's history. He noted that Premium Trust Bank, the main sponsor, has fulfilled its commitments, contributing significantly to the festival's success. Olopade compared this to the previous Gateway Games in Abeokuta, which many considered the best ever, but he is optimistic that Enugu will surpass it. "Let it be on record that the Enugu games, without any argument, is the best sponsored festival in history," he asserted.
Reforms to Make Hosting More Affordable for States
As part of the NSC's RHINSE reform agenda, aimed at reducing costs for host states, the number of sports in the festival has been streamlined to 20. This includes 15 compulsory sports mandated by the NSC and five optional sports chosen by the host state. The compulsory sports for the Coal City Games are:
- Athletics
- Para Athletics
- Badminton
- Para Badminton
- Basketball
- Wheelchair Basketball
- Boxing
- Cycling
- Football
- Judo
- Gymnastics
- Swimming
- Table Tennis
- Para Table Tennis
- Tennis
- Taekwondo
- Mixed Martial Arts
- Weightlifting
- Para Powerlifting
- Wrestling
This reduction is intended to make the festival more manageable and cost-effective, encouraging broader participation from states across Nigeria.
