The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the maiden National Intermediate Games, says the upcoming competition will drive the development of school sports.
It added that the Games would create a sustainable pathway for young talents, noting that it would go beyond the competition arena by strengthening links between school sports, grassroots participation and elite competition.
This was contained in a statement by Gbenga Omotoso, Chairman, Media and Publicity sub-committee.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Games, tagged EKO 2026, will hold in Lagos from Oct. 1 to Oct. 15, with about 15,000 athletes expected from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The LOC is chaired by Sam Egube, Deputy Chief of Staff to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while Lekan Fatodu, Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission and Mobolaji Ogunlende, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development are co-chairmen.
According to Egube, the Games will not be treated as a one-off sporting event.
He said EKO 2026 would serve as a sustainable platform for talent identification, monitoring and development.
‘This is a commitment to human development and to encouraging our sporting system.
‘Immediately after the event, athletes will benefit from tangible incentives, opportunities for support and training.
‘As we build new schools, modern sporting facilities are integrated, ensuring that talents are nurtured within school programmes,’ Egube said. (NAN)