By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The National Sports Commission (NSC), in collaboration with members of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) and Local Organizing Committee (LOC), has intensified preparations for the maiden National Intermediate Games with an inspection of sporting facilities across Lagos.
The inspection, conducted on Saturday, was aimed at assessing the readiness and suitability of venues ahead of the Games scheduled to hold from October 1 to 15, 2026.
The inspection team, led by the Head of Grassroots Development, Niyi Beyioku, commenced the exercise at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Development, Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, represented the Director General of the NSC during the exercise.
Members of the LOC took the delegation through key facilities, including the stadium turf, indoor sports hall and other sporting infrastructure, while the team assessed their preparedness to host the competition.
Other facilities inspected included the National Stadium Complex, Surulere; National Institute for Sports (NIS); Rowe Park Sports Centre; Yaba College of Technology; University of Lagos sports facilities and hostels; Elegbata Sports Centre; the Cricket Oval at Tafawa Balewa Square; and Mobolaji Johnson Arena, which is being considered for the opening and closing ceremonies.
Following the inspection, the MOC and LOC held a technical meeting to review operational and technical issues and further strengthen preparations for the successful hosting of the Games.
Twenty-eight sports have been listed for the inaugural National Intermediate Games, with athletes expected to arrive from October 1, while the opening ceremony is scheduled for October 5.
The National Intermediate Games, organized under the authority of the NSC, is designed to provide a platform for identifying and developing young sporting talents across the country.
The competition is specifically targeted at athletes in the Under-19 category, comprising those born between January 1, 2008, and September 31, 2011.
Athletes from all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside diaspora athletes competing as one contingent, are expected to participate in the two-week competition in Lagos.
The inspection delegation included Yusuf Alli, Olalekan Alabi and Kola Daniel, Special Assistant on Media to the Director General of the NSC, as well as other officials of the NSC, MOC and LOC.
The exercise, according to the organizers, underscores their commitment to ensuring that facilities, technical arrangements and operational structures are fully prepared for a safe, competitive and successful maiden edition of the National Intermediate Games.
