Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has inspected ongoing rehabilitation works at the Teslim Balogun Stadium and other sports facilities ahead of the inaugural National Intermediate Sports Festival, EKO 2026.
Mr Sanwo-Olu, in a post on his social media platforms on Saturday, said the state was making progress with preparations to host thousands of young athletes from across Nigeria.
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According to the governor, the natural-grass pitch at Teslim Balogun Stadium has been completed, while work on the new tartan track is expected to be finished in the coming weeks.
He added that indoor halls, swimming pools and other sports facilities were also being upgraded ahead of the Games.
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“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.”
The governor said the rehabilitation of sports facilities was part of the state’s broader investment in grassroots sports development.
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“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 weeks after Lagos unveiled the official logo and mascot for EKO 2026, marking another milestone in preparations for the maiden edition of the National Intermediate Games.
The Games are scheduled to be held from 1 to 15 October 2026. They 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 to identify and develop young talents before they progress to elite competition.
Speaking at the logo and mascot unveiling in July, the Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, said the state was committed to delivering a successful first edition.
Mr Fatodu said rehabilitation work at the Teslim Balogun Stadium was progressing according to schedule and that the state was also working with private institutions to provide additional venues.
He specifically mentioned the British International School in Lekki as one of the private facilities secured through partnerships for the Games.
The Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, had also explained that Lagos was chosen as the host because of its established grassroots sports development structure.
He said the state had demonstrated a system capable of identifying athletes from the school level and developing them towards elite competition.
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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 planned 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 said Lagos was ready to welcome the next generation of Nigerian athletes.
“Lagos is ready, and we look forward to welcoming the next generation of Nigerian athletes,” the governor said.
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