By IBRAHIM T LOT
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has announced that the 2026 National Sports Festival, tagged, ‘Coal City Games’, will hold from November 27 to December 11 this year.
Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, disclosed this on Thursday during the first Main Organising Committee meeting for the Games in Abuja.
He said the arrival of participating states would take place from November 25 to November 26, while the opening ceremony would be held on November 27.
According to him, the Games will officially close on December 11, stressing that the dates are fixed.
Olopade said the final schedule followed a productive meeting with the Governor of Enugu State, Barrister Peter Mbah.
“I must commend the Governor of Enugu State, Barrister Peter Mbah, who has shown tremendous enthusiasm in the aggression with which facilities are being built and completed for the Games.
“This is highly commendable.”
He added that the Coal City Games would set a new standard in sponsorship and funding for the National Sports Festival.
“Let it be on record that the Enugu Games, without any argument, is the best sponsored festival in history.
“The main sponsor, Premium Trust Bank, has made good their commitment and it is a very historic contribution to the festival.”
“The last record was the Gateway Games last year in Abeokuta, which many had described as the best festival ever, but I am very optimistic that Enugu is on the verge of hosting the best funded and best organised Games later this year.”