Eko 2026: LOC, MOC to tackle age cheating

In preparation for the maiden National Intermediate Games tagged Eko 2026, the Local Organising Committee, in collaboration with the Main Organising Committee, has announced plans to deploy the national identity number system to curb age cheating among athletes.

The games, scheduled to hold in Lagos from October 1 to 15, will abut 15,000 young athletes aged 15 to 18 years, competing across multiple sports.

To safeguard the integrity of the competition, LOC Co-chair Lekan Fatodu explained that technology will be central to ensuring only eligible participants are allowed to compete.

“As we are aware, the games are meant to bridge the gap between the Youth Games and the National Sports Festival. Hosting this tournament gives us the opportunity to set a new standard in checking age- cheating,” Fatodu said.

“We want to ensure that only athletes within the right age bracket compete. In the past, over- aged athletes have competed against under-aged athletes, denying genuine talents the chance to shine. This time around, we want to set the standard with the use of NIMS.”

The NIMC will serve as a verification platform, cross-checking athletes’ biodata against national records. Fatodu emphasised that this measure is expected to eliminate falsification of ages — a recurring challenge in youth sports — and guarantee fairness across all events.

The LOC stressed that adopting NIMSC reflects Lagos’ commitment to transparency and credibility in sports administration. By leveraging national identity infrastructure, the Games aim not only to discover genuine talents but also to set a new benchmark for youth competitions in Nigeria.

With this initiative, Eko 2026 is positioned as a trailblazer in combining sports development with digital governance, ensuring that the maiden edition of the National Intermediate Games is remembered for both its athletic excellence and its integrity.