National Sports Festival: Zonal Eliminations for Team Sports Begin September 12
Oru Leonard
Preparations for the 23rd National Sports Festival, tagged Coal City Games 2026, have entered a crucial phase as zonal eliminations for team sports are scheduled to take place across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones from September 12 to 15, 2026.
The qualifying competitions will feature basketball, cricket, football and volleyball/beach volleyball, with both male and female categories participating.
The zonal eliminations form a major qualification stage ahead of the National Sports Festival. Under the competition rules, the first- and second-placed teams in each zone will secure qualification for the Festival.
However, host state Enugu will enjoy automatic qualification in all the featured team sports.
The Main Organising Committee (MOC) has directed zonal coordinators to commence preparations and submit proposed venues for the competitions.
The coordinators are also expected to ensure strict compliance with the Games’ rules and regulations to promote fair play and provide a level playing field for all participating teams.
The 23rd National Sports Festival, themed “Excellence, Sportsmanship and Unity,” will be hosted by Enugu State from November 27 to December 11, 2026.
The development marks another major milestone in preparations for the national sporting fiesta, which is expected to bring athletes from across the country together in competition and national unity.
(NSC Media, September 10, 2026)
