EKO 2026 to Test States' Commitment to Athlete Development

The inaugural National Intermediate Games, known as EKO 2026, is scheduled to occur in Lagos from October 1 to 15, featuring approximately 15,000 athletes aged 15 to 18 competing in 28 sports. Nigerian Olympian and sports administrator Yusuf Alli, who is part of the organizing structure, stated that the event will serve as a litmus test for states genuinely investing in grassroots athlete development compared to those that rely on recruiting established athletes to enhance their medal counts.

Alli emphasized that the competition aims to shift focus from short-term medal success to identifying states with sustainable systems for athlete production. He noted that states like Edo and Lagos have strong training programs, which will be evident during the Games.

The event will also include talent identification teams monitoring performances to discover potential future athletes. Alli asserted that the true value of EKO 2026 will be measured not just by medals but by the number of young athletes developed and retained by their states.