The Federal Government and the Enugu State Government have officially signed a host state agreement for the 2026 National Sports Festival, which is set to take place in the South East State. This agreement was signed on Tuesday by Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, representing the Federal Government, and Governor Peter Mbah on behalf of Enugu State. With this agreement, Enugu State has been granted full hosting rights for the upcoming edition of the National Sports Festival.
During the signing ceremony held at the Government House in Enugu, Governor Peter Mbah expressed his gratitude to the National Sports Commission and other stakeholders for their confidence in the state and his administration to successfully host the event. He assured everyone that Enugu would fulfill its hosting responsibilities in a manner that would create lasting memories for athletes and sports enthusiasts both in Nigeria and beyond.
Governor Mbah emphasized the significance of this opportunity, commending the commission for recognizing Enugu as a worthy host for the 23rd National Sports Festival. He pledged that the state would perform admirably in its role. He remarked, “As you know, we aspire to be a role model as a state with a rich history spanning over 115 years. We are committed to honoring that legacy and will strive to meet the high standards set by our predecessors.”
He also highlighted the proactive measures already being taken in preparation for the festival. Following the announcement, the state mobilized its team to begin revamping the Awgu Games Village and other facilities. Governor Mbah stated, “We are determined to deliver a brand new Games Village and completely renovate the stadium. By the end of this year, we aim to impress everyone with our efforts. This is not just about revamping or re-equipping; we are also planning to build additional facilities to enhance the existing ones.”
The governor concluded by expressing his vision for a world-class experience for athletes, ensuring that the event would be memorable for all involved.
Earlier in the event, Hon. Olopade praised Enugu’s bid, citing the availability of facilities, improved security in the state, and Governor Mbah’s commitment to enhancing sports and social infrastructure as key factors in granting Enugu the right to host the festival, following the 22nd edition in Ogun State. He added that hosting the event would significantly boost investment and tourism in Enugu, both during and after the festival.
Comments are closed for this story.