Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has assured that the state will deliver a world-class and memorable 23rd National Sports Festival, tagged “Coal City Games,” scheduled for November 27 to December 11, 2026.
Mbah gave the assurance during an inspection of the Awgu Games Village at the weekend, where he assessed the pace and quality of ongoing works, including a 1,000-capacity hostel, indoor and outdoor courts, a FIFA-standard football pitch and an eight-lane athletics track.
The Governor said the abandoned facility would be transformed into a world-class Games Village in less than two months, stressing that Enugu was committed to meeting the festival’s fixed dates.
“We are not interested in shifting the date. The dates are already fixed for the 23rd National Sports Festival, and these facilities will be ready,” Mbah said.
He said the ongoing upgrade of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium was part of a broader transformation of sports infrastructure in the state, covering a FIFA-standard pitch, new athletics track, spectator stands, floodlights, electronic access-control systems, scoreboards and other facilities.
According to him, the stadium complex is also being expanded to include an Olympic-size swimming pool and upgraded indoor and outdoor facilities for sports including basketball, volleyball and squash.
Mbah said the investments go beyond hosting the festival, noting that modern sports infrastructure would support tourism, investment, social cohesion and the development of the sports economy.
He added that the state was focused not only on the efficient hosting of the Games but also on the accommodation, logistics and overall experience of athletes, officials and contingents.
The Governor was accompanied by the Commissioners for Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu; Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Osita Okoh; Human Development and Poverty Eradication, Prof. Benedett Okoli; Special Adviser on Project Development and Implementation, Arch. Uche Nwatu; and Chairman of Awgu LGA, Hon. Uchenna Okolo.
