Enugu Governor confirms 2026 National Sports Festival will proceed

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has confirmed that the 23rd National Sports Festival, scheduled for 2026, will proceed as planned without postponement. This decision follows speculation that the event might be delayed to avoid conflict with political activities preceding the 2027 general elections.

During a visit by the Main Organising Committee (MOC) Advisory Team, the governor directed the immediate activation of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) office for the event, which is tagged the ‘CoalCity 2026 Games’. He also ordered the commencement of media publicity, marketing strategies, and nationwide mobilization efforts.

The MOC Advisory Team, led by Dr. Kweku Tandoh, conducted an assessment of existing sporting facilities in Enugu, including athletics tracks, swimming pools, and indoor gymnasiums, to identify necessary infrastructure improvements. The state government aims to meet all technical requirements set by the federal government to ensure a world-class competition.