20 sports confirmed for National Sports Festival, NSC clarifies
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has confirmed that twenty sports will feature at the 23rd National Sports Festival, themed Coal City Games Enugu 2026, following a productive meeting with States’ Directors of Sports in Abuja.
In a statement signed by Dr. (Mrs) Kehinde Ajayi, NSC Director of Information and Public Relations, the clarification was issued to address misconceptions about the approved list of sports for the festival.
During the meeting, NSC Director General Bukola Olopade emphasized the Commission’s exclusive role in organizing and coordinating the National Sports Festival nationwide. He explained that the decision to limit the Games to twenty sports was made at the last National Council on Sports meeting in Calabar, considering the country’s current economic realities.
Olopade noted that the approach mirrors global practices, referencing the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where several sports were merged to enhance cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency.
The NSC also reassured stakeholders that communication with states on matters affecting the festival would be strengthened through the offices of the respective Directors of Sports.
The approved sports for the Coal City Games include: Athletics and Para Athletics, Badminton and Para Badminton, Basketball and Wheelchair Basketball (3x3), Boxing, Canoeing and Para Canoeing, Cricket, Cycling, Darts, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Judo, Mixed Martial Arts, Shooting and Para Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis, Tennis, Taekwondo, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, and Wrestling.
The meeting was attended by States’ Directors of Sports from Nigeria’s six geo-political zones, officials from the National Sports Festival and Para Sports Department, along with other key stakeholders in the sports sector.
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