Zonal Eliminations for 23rd National Sports Festival Set

Preparations for the 23rd National Sports Festival, known as the Coal City Games 2026, are advancing as zonal eliminations for team sports are scheduled from September 12 to September 15, 2026, across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. The eliminations will include competitions in basketball, cricket, football, and volleyball/beach volleyball for both male and female categories.

According to the Festival's regulations, the top two teams from each zone will qualify for the National Sports Festival, while the host state, Enugu, will receive automatic qualification in all team sports. The Main Organising Committee (MOC) has instructed zonal coordinators to begin preparations and submit proposed venues for the events, ensuring compliance with the Games' rules and regulations to maintain fairness.

The 23rd National Sports Festival is themed “Excellence, Sportsmanship and Unity” and is set to take place from November 27 to December 11, 2026.