By Andrew Abah
The Director General of National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade has expressed confidence in Enugu State’s readiness to deliver a memorable 23rd National Sports Festival, which takes place later this year.
Following a three-day inspection of facilities and preparations across the host city, Hon. Olopade, said the level of enthusiasm, infrastructure development and community participation in Enugu reinforced his belief that the state is ready to host the Games.
“Every time we’ve been to Enugu, we’ve been able to leave with satisfaction. Aside from the huge enthusiasm from the Executive Governor, you’d see that there’s something brewing amongst the people,” Olopade said.
Addressing members of the fourth estate in Enugu, the DG highlighted the growing involvement of residents in the Games, noting that more than 500 caterers and over 500 volunteers have already signed up to participate in the event.
He added that the scale of local participation demonstrates that the National Sports Festival will extend beyond sporting competition to create significant socio-economic opportunities for the people of Enugu.
Doubling as the chair of the Main Organizing Committee, the DG described Coal City Games as an opportunity to promote inclusivity and national unity, particularly as the South East prepares to host the National Sports Festival for the first time in 28 years.
“This Games is about inclusivity, nation-building and what President Bola Tinubu has always preached, that Nigeria belongs to all of us,” he said.
He added that bringing the Festival to the South East was significant for national integration and would provide an opportunity for athletes, officials and Nigerians from across the country to experience the warmth and hospitality of the region.
“This is the first time in 28 years that the South East is hosting this Games, and that is a story for us to take home,” Hon. Olopade said, urging the media to take home this important milestone.
The inspection also provided an opportunity for the Commission and MOC to assess the progress of key sporting facilities that will host athletes and spectators during the Games.
Hon. Olopade expressed particular satisfaction with the facilities inspected, describing the International Conference Centre as world class and highlighting ongoing work on the swimming pool and Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
“The inspection of the last few days reinforced my belief that Enugu is ready. The people, the infrastructure and the buzz are all there. At the International Conference Centre, what I saw was world class, we’re building a world-class swimming pool, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium is being put into shape, and we’re excited,” he said.
The National Sports Festival remains Nigeria’s flagship multi-sport domestic competition, bringing together athletes from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory in a celebration of sporting talent, youth development, unity and national pride.
With preparations gathering momentum across Enugu, the Coal City Games is expected to provide another major platform for identifying emerging talents, developing Nigeria’s sporting pipeline and strengthening the country’s preparations for future international competitions.
The Games will take place from November 27 to December 11, as Enugu will welcome more than 10,000 athletes and officials from across Nigeria for what is expected to be one of the country’s biggest sporting gatherings of the year.
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