Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has inspected the ongoing rehabilitation works at the Teslim Balogun Stadium and other sports facilities ahead of the inaugural National Intermediate Sports Festival, EKO 2026. The governor, in a post on his social media platforms on Saturday, confirmed that the natural-grass pitch at the stadium has been completed, while work on the new tartan track is expected to be finished in the coming weeks.
Progress on Facilities
According to the governor, the natural grass pitch at Teslim Balogun Stadium is now lush and green, as seen in photographs shared on his official Facebook page. The tartan track, a key component for athletics events, is still under construction but is slated for completion within weeks. In addition, indoor halls, swimming pools, and other sports facilities are being upgraded to accommodate the thousands of young athletes expected from across Nigeria.
“The natural grass pitch is complete, while work on the new tartan track will be finished in the coming weeks,” Mr Sanwo-Olu said. “Our indoor halls, swimming pools and other facilities are also being upgraded to receive the thousands of young athletes expected from across the country.”
Investment in Grassroots Sports
The governor highlighted that the rehabilitation of sports facilities is part of the state’s broader investment in grassroots sports development. Over the past three years, Lagos has been rebuilding sports centres in Surulere, Ikorodu, Epe, Agege, and Badagry. This initiative aims to provide young people with quality facilities close to home, enabling them to discover their talents, compete with confidence, and envision a future in sports within Nigeria.
“For the past three years, we have been rebuilding sports centres across Surulere, Ikorodu, Epe, Agege and Badagry, because our young people deserve quality facilities close to home,” he said. “We want them to discover their talents, compete with confidence and see a future for themselves in sports right here in Nigeria.”
EKO 2026 Preparations
The inspection comes just weeks after Lagos unveiled the official logo and mascot for EKO 2026, marking a significant milestone in the preparations for the maiden edition of the National Intermediate Games. The Games are scheduled to run from 1 to 15 October 2026 and are expected to bring together young athletes from all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and eligible Nigerian athletes from the diaspora.
The National Sports Commission conceived the Intermediate Games as a structured pathway between the National Youth Games and the National Sports Festival, designed to identify and develop young talents before they progress to elite competition.
Commitment from Officials
Speaking at the logo and mascot unveiling in July, the Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, reiterated the state’s commitment to delivering a successful first edition. He noted that rehabilitation work at the Teslim Balogun Stadium is progressing according to schedule, and the state is also partnering with private institutions to provide additional venues. Specifically, the British International School in Lekki has been secured as one of the private facilities for the Games.
The Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, explained that Lagos was chosen as the host due to its established grassroots sports development structure. He stated that the state has demonstrated a system capable of identifying athletes from the school level and developing them towards elite competition.
Bridging the Gap
Mr Olopade said the Games would help bridge the gap between youth-level competitions and the National Sports Festival, providing young athletes with a more structured route into higher-level sports. The commission also plans to hold diaspora trials in London for eligible Nigerian athletes abroad, with successful participants expected to compete in Lagos.
With less than two months to the opening of the Games, Mr Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence in Lagos’ readiness. “Lagos is ready, and we look forward to welcoming the next generation of Nigerian athletes,” the governor said.
