Lagos State is preparing to welcome about 15,000 athletes aged 15 to 18 for the inaugural National Intermediate Games, scheduled to take place from October 1 to 15, 2026.
The young athletes are expected to compete in 23 compulsory sporting disciplines and five optional events across 10 venues in the state.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Sam Egube, disclosed this during a media parley in Lagos, according to a post by the Lagos State Government on its X handle on Thursday.
Egube described the competition as an important initiative for youth development, grassroots talent discovery and national integration.
He said the games would create a pathway for promising young athletes to progress to the National Sports Festival, continental competitions and, ultimately, the global sporting stage.
“The games will provide a strategic pathway for grassroots sports development and help us identify and nurture the next generation of Nigerian sporting talents.”
He added that Lagos would draw on its experience of hosting major international sporting events to ensure the maiden edition meets high standards.
“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.
Beyond sports, Egube said the event was expected to provide economic opportunities for small businesses and enable visitors to experience Lagos’ culture, hospitality and tourist attractions.
Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, said preparations were progressing rapidly, noting that only 37 days remained before the commencement of the games at the time of the media briefing.
He assured participating athletes, officials and visitors that the state was committed to providing a safe and memorable experience.
Ogunlende also urged the media to provide accurate information about the event, showcase Lagos’ attractions and promote confidence in the state’s readiness to host the competition.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said Lagos was determined to deliver a successful first edition of the games, which he said would help close the gap between emerging 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.
Omotoso disclosed that several subcommittees had been constituted to oversee key aspects of the event, including security, transportation and athletes’ welfare.
He further revealed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had personally inspected some of the sporting facilities as part of efforts to ensure adequate preparations.
Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lanre Fatodu, expressed confidence in the state’s ability to stage a successful competition, describing Lagos as a “serial trailblazer.”
“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 were designed not only as a sporting competition but also as a platform for youth empowerment, talent identification, grassroots development and national unity.
With thousands of young athletes expected in Lagos, the maiden National Intermediate Games could provide an important avenue for identifying and nurturing the country’s next generation of sporting talents.
