Lagos to host 15,000 athletes for national intermediate games

Lagos is set to host about 15,000 young athletes aged between 15 and 18 for the maiden National Intermediate Games scheduled to hold from October 1 to 15, 2026.

The athletes are expected to compete in 23 compulsory and five optional sporting disciplines across 10 venues in the state.

In a post obtained from the state’s X handle on Thursday, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Sam Egube, disclosed this during a media parley in Lagos, describing the games as a major platform for youth development, talent discovery and national unity.

Egube said the competition would provide opportunities to identify and nurture young athletes with the potential to advance to the National Sports Festival, continental competitions and eventually the global sporting stage.

He said, “The games will provide a strategic pathway for grassroots sports development and help us identify and nurture the next generation of Nigerian sporting talents.”

According to him, Lagos would leverage its experience in hosting major international sporting events to deliver a world-class competition.

“Lagos has built considerable experience in hosting major sporting events, and we are bringing that experience to bear to ensure a successful maiden edition,” he said.

Egube added that the games would also contribute to the local economy by creating opportunities for small businesses while allowing visitors to experience the state’s culture, hospitality and tourist attractions.

Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, said preparations for the event were progressing rapidly, noting that the state had only 37 days to the commencement of the games at the time of the media parley.

He assured athletes, officials and visitors of a safe and memorable experience.

Ogunlende also appealed to the media to provide accurate information about the event, promote Lagos’ attractions and reassure participants of the state’s readiness to host the games.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the state was determined to deliver an excellent first edition.

Omotoso said the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between young sporting talents and professional athletes.

“The idea is to identify these young talents early, develop them and provide them with the opportunity to become future stars,” he said.

He disclosed that various subcommittees had been established to coordinate critical areas of the games, including security, transportation and athletes’ welfare.

Omotoso added that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had personally inspected some of the sporting facilities as part of preparations for the competition.

The Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lanre Fatodu, described Lagos as a “serial trailblazer” and expressed confidence in the state’s ability to deliver a successful competition.

“Lagos is a serial trailblazer, and we will draw on our wealth of experience in hosting major sporting events to deliver a successful National Intermediate Games,” Fatodu said.

The organisers said the games would go beyond sporting competition, serving as a platform for talent discovery, youth empowerment, national unity and grassroots sports development.

With 15,000 young athletes expected to converge on Lagos, the inaugural National Intermediate Games is expected to provide a significant platform for discovering and developing Nigeria’s next generation of sporting stars.