EKO 2026 to Enhance School Sports Development in Lagos

The National Intermediate Games, known as EKO 2026, is scheduled to occur in Lagos from October 1 to 15, 2026. The Local Organising Committee (LOC), chaired by Sam Egube, the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, aims to foster school sports development and create a sustainable pathway for identifying and nurturing young talents.

The event is expected to attract around 15,000 athletes from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The LOC emphasized that EKO 2026 will not be a one-time event but a platform for ongoing talent identification and development, linking school sports with grassroots participation and elite competition.

Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that the initiative aligns with the Lagos State Government's investment in sports infrastructure, which began three years ago, and aims to build a sustainable grassroots sports system. The Games will provide athletes with incentives and training opportunities, ensuring that modern sporting facilities are integrated into new schools.