Enugu targets successful hosting, aims for top three on medals table at 2026 National Sports Festival
By Uzor Odigbo
Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barrister Lloyd Ikechukwu Ekweremadu, has assured that the state will not only host a successful 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival, but will finish among the top three on the medals table.
The 2026 edition, tagged “Coal City Games,” will be hosted by Enugu State, marking another milestone in the state’s growing sports development drive.
Speaking during an interview on Family Love FM, Ekweremadu assured that preparations were in top gear to deliver a world-class festival.
“Enugu State will host a successful festival and emerge among the top three. The Team Enugu Sub-Committee is working hard to ensure we put up a strong performance. We are also reaching out to athletes of Enugu origin across the world to come and represent their state with pride,” he stated.
The Commissioner also noted the resurgence of Rangers International Football Club, commending the team for recovering from a slow start to the season and re-establishing themselves as title contenders in the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Ekweremadu appreciated the cooperation of local government chairmen across the state for their support during the recently concluded Governor Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah Secondary Schools Games, which helped identify young talents who represented Enugu at the 9th National Youth Games held in Asaba, Delta State, two months ago.
He further lauded sponsors for partnering with the state government in the development of grassroots football within the Enugu metropolis, describing such collaborations as vital to sustaining sports growth and youth empowerment in the state.
