By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The National Sports Commission (NSC), has confirmed that the zonal elimination exercise for team sports ahead of the inaugural National Intermediate Games is proceeding as scheduled across the country.
The Commission said the elimination competitions, which began on September 10, will run through September 12, 2026, assuring participating states and sports federations that the approved timetable remains in effect.
Eleven team sports are featured in the exercise: Abula, basketball, beach volleyball, cricket, football, handball, hockey, indoor volleyball, netball, rugby and wheelchair basketball.
According to the NSC, the competitions are aimed at determining teams that will qualify to represent their respective geopolitical zones at the National Intermediate Games. All events are being conducted in line with the approved Technical Manual and the rules and regulations governing the Games.
The Commission listed the zonal venues as U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, for the South-South; Murtala Muhammad Square, Kaduna, for the North-West; August 27 Stadium, Damaturu, Yobe State, for the North-East; and Adamasingba Stadium, Oyo State, for the South-West.
In the Jos cluster of Plateau State, cricket and basketball are being held at Rayfield, while beach volleyball is taking place at St. John’s College.
Hockey competitions are being staged at the Police Training Field along J.D. Gomwalk Road, while football is being played at the NTA TV College grounds. Other events in the Jos cluster are also being held at Rayfield.
The NSC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the successful delivery of the National Intermediate Games and commended zonal coordinators, state sports councils, sports federations and other partners for their cooperation in promoting grassroots sports development.
The inaugural National Intermediate Games are scheduled to hold in the first quarter of 2027, with Lagos State serving as host.
