Mbah Assures National Sports Festival Will Hold as Enugu 2026 Preparations Intensify
Oru Leonard
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has assured that the 23rd National Sports Festival, scheduled to hold in Enugu in 2026, will not be postponed, as he directed accelerated preparations for the successful hosting of the Games.
Governor Mbah gave the assurance on Wednesday when the Main Organising Committee (MOC) Advisory Team for the Festival paid him a strategic working visit at the Enugu State Government House.
The delegation, led by the MOC Consultant, Dr. Kweku Tandoh, briefed the Governor on the progress of preparations, milestones recorded by the MOC and Local Organising Committee (LOC), as well as areas requiring urgent executive intervention.
Following the briefing and deliberations, Governor Mbah directed immediate action on issues raised and constituted a monitoring team to provide him with daily updates on preparations for the Games.
He also ordered the immediate activation of the LOC Secretariat as the operational hub for Festival activities and directed the composition and activation of all LOC subcommittees.
In a move aimed at improving efficiency and accountability, the Governor approved the reduction of LOC subcommittees from 19 to 13.
Governor Mbah further assured the delegation that all sporting infrastructure earmarked for the Festival, including the Games Village and competition venues, would be completed and delivered ahead of the commencement of the Games.
He also directed the immediate activation of media, publicity and marketing strategies to commence nationwide sensitisation, promotion and mobilisation for the Festival.
The Governor expressed his readiness to maintain regular engagements with the MOC Advisory Team to review progress, promptly address challenges and ensure that Enugu remains fully prepared to host the event.
The Advisory Team, in turn, assured the Governor of the full support and commitment of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the MOC towards delivering a peaceful, well-organised and memorable National Sports Festival.
The team said the Games would provide an opportunity to showcase the talents of Nigerian athletes as well as the rich cultural heritage of Enugu State and the South-East.
The delegation included Dr. Emmanuel Igbinosa, Consultant to the MOC; Mr. Sunday Odebode; Mr. Idowu Oladipupo; and Mr. Olumide Bamiduro, Secretary-General of the LOC.
The team also conveyed the goodwill and warm greetings of the Director-General of the NSC and Chairman of the MOC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, to Governor Mbah.
The Advisory Team commended the Enugu State Government for accepting to host the 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival, noting that it would be the first time since the Imo ’98 Games that a South-East state would host Nigeria’s biggest multi-sport event.
