Enugu governor inspects venues ahead of 2026 National Sports Festival

Enugu Governor Peter Mbah says his administration is committed to delivering a world-class 23rd National Sports Festival and will complete the required facilities before the event begins on November 27. Mbah made the assurance during a weekend inspection of Awgu Games Village, one of the venues for the festival, which is tagged the Coal City Games. He said the site, previously abandoned, would be transformed into a sports facility in less than two months.

The governor said construction was under way on a 1,000-capacity-bed hostel, indoor and outdoor courts, a standard FIFA pitch and an eight-lane athletics track. He said the tight schedule required direct supervision and that the government was not planning to shift the festival dates. Work is also taking place at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

Mbah said the project included a new FIFA-standard football pitch and athletics track, rehabilitation of spectator seating, new roofing and canopy systems, upgraded VIP and VVIP stands, and improvements to players’ changing rooms. The stadium complex is also being fitted with electronic access controls, LCD scoreboards, perimeter LED displays, protective fencing and upgraded floodlighting and other electrical and mechanical services. A new Olympic-size swimming pool is planned, while the Indoor Sports Hall and facilities for volleyball, basketball, squash and other sports are being transformed or upgraded.

Mbah said the programme extended beyond hosting the festival. He described sports as a tool for social cohesion and a potential business opportunity, and said the wider investment supported his objective of making Enugu a destination for investment, tourism and living. He added that the government was concerned with athletes’ accommodation, logistics and overall experience.

Awgu council chairman Uchenna Okolo commended the project, saying the revival of the games village would support development in the local government and the state.