By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has finalized major technical and operational arrangements for the maiden National Intermediate Games, EKO 2026, with the Joint Technical Committee approving measures covering athlete eligibility, talent identification, accommodation, transportation, medical services and digital management of the competition.
The decisions were reached at the committee’s meeting held at the Sam Shonibare Community Development Centre, Surulere, Lagos, chaired by the Director-General of the NSC and Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee, Bukola Olopade.
The meeting brought together representatives of the Main Organizing Committee, National Sports Federations, participating states and the Federal Capital Territory, zonal coordinators, technical sub-committees and the Lagos State Local Organizing Committee.
The committee also inspected competition and non-competition facilities as part of final preparations for the Games.
Olopade said the National Intermediate Games would provide a structured bridge between grassroots sports participation and elite-level competition, while creating opportunities for early identification and development of young athletes.
“Our aspiration is that this Games would provide an important platform for talent identification and athlete progression, while ensuring that young athletes with potential are identified early and provided with opportunities to develop into future national team athletes,” he said.
A major resolution of the meeting was the confirmation that only athletes born between January 1, 2008, and September 30, 2011, would be eligible to participate in EKO 2026.
The committee directed the MOC Secretariat to harmonize the age requirement across the Technical Manual and all official Games documents and issue the necessary clarification.
To safeguard the integrity of the competition, all participating athletes will undergo age and identity verification, including NIMC verification, approved documentary checks and physical screening
The Games will also serve as a talent identification platform, with athletes discovered at EKO 2026 to be integrated into a structured national athlete-development pathway.
According to the committee, athletes identified through the Games will be combined with identified Diaspora athletes to form the core of Nigeria’s Invited Junior Athletes national team for the National Sports Festival in Enugu.
It further declared athletes identified through the Games as national assets and urged participating states to cooperate with the NSC and National Sports Federations by releasing such athletes for approved national assignments and development programmes.
The committee also approved adjustments to the sporting programme. The 5,000 metres will be an official athletics medal event, while weightlifting medals will be awarded based on athletes’ overall performances in approved weight categories rather than separately for the Snatch and Clean & Jerk components.
The Mixed Team event in Taekwondo was removed from the official programme, while Netball and Teqball will be staged as demonstration sports without counting towards the official medal table.
On Games operations, the committee directed strict compliance with accreditation deadlines, stressing that only duly accredited athletes, officials and authorized Games personnel would have access to competition venues, operational areas and approved Games Village facilities.
For accommodation, 16 hostels comprising 38 buildings and approximately 12,800 beds have been identified. The Lagos State LOC was directed to ensure that the facilities have adequate security, water, electricity, standby power, cleaning, maintenance and fumigation before the arrival of contingents.
The committee also adopted a decentralized catering model to improve efficiency and reduce delays associated with movement across Lagos. Breakfast and dinner will be served at designated accommodation locations, while lunch will be provided at competition venues.
Two meal options will be made available for each meal, with caterers required to comply with food safety, hygiene and health certification standards.
The Games will also operate a tri-modal transportation system involving road, rail and water transport where appropriate, for the movement of athletes, officials, technical personnel, equipment and other Games personnel.
Medical and public health arrangements have equally been strengthened, with qualified medical personnel to be deployed at competition venues and designated accommodation facilities.
The UNILAG Medical Centre will serve as the primary referral facility, while ambulances will be stationed at competition venues, with arrangements in place for specialised referrals where necessary.
Participating states and the FCT are required to nominate Chief Medical Officers and complete all necessary medical assessments and health screenings.
The Games Medical and Public Health Teams will also work with relevant Lagos State authorities on food safety, water, sanitation, waste disposal, disease prevention and emergency response.
Following the facility inspection, the LOC was directed to complete outstanding remedial works and venue requirements before the commencement of the Games.
National Sports Federations and technical committees were similarly tasked with finalizing sport-specific technical requirements, competition schedules, equipment needs and other operational arrangements.
In a move to modernize Games administration, the official EKO 2026 website, mobile application and QR code-enabled systems will be deployed before the commencement of the competition.
The digital platforms will support accreditation, results management, data administration and communication with athletes, officials, stakeholders and the media.
The Joint Technical Committee commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to Nigerian youth and investment in sports development, while appreciating the Lagos State Government and the Local Organizing Committee for their infrastructure investment and cooperation towards hosting the inaugural Games.
It also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory for the FCT’s partnership with the NSC, particularly its commitment to sponsoring and supporting its contingent for the Games.
The committee called on all stakeholders to work collectively to ensure that EKO 2026 establishes a sustainable foundation for talent identification, athlete development, national unity and the future growth of the National Intermediate Games.
The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the LOC and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Sam Egube; LOC Co-Chairman and Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu; Chairman, Media Relations and Publicity Sub-Committee, Gbenga Omotosho; Chairman, Digital Media and Fan Engagement, Segun Fafore; Games Consultant, Kweku Tandoh; and Senior Special Assistant to the President, Chief Adegboye Adeyinka Anthony, among other stakeholders.
The communiqué was signed by Olopade, Director-General of the NSC and Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee, and issued in Surulere, Lagos State, on September 5, 2026.
