Sports

Enugu Gets Hosting Right for 2026 National Sports Festival

Our plan includes delivering a brand-new Games Village and completely renovating the stadium to meet modern standards.

Published

1 year ago

January 16, 2025

OCHEFA

543 Views

The Federal Government (FG) and the Enugu State Government have officially signed a host state agreement for the 2026 National Sports Festival, which will take place in Enugu State.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday by the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, on behalf of the FG, and Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State. This formalized Enugu’s hosting rights for the 23rd edition of the festival.

The signing ceremony was held at the Enugu Government House.

Governor Peter Mbah expressed gratitude to the National Sports Commission and other stakeholders for entrusting the state with the prestigious event.

He assured the public that Enugu would deliver a remarkable and unforgettable experience for athletes and sports enthusiasts nationwide. We deeply appreciate the trust placed in us and the significance of this award,” said Governor Mbah.

“I commend the commission for deeming Enugu deserving of hosting the 23rd National Sports Festival.

We are committed to discharging our responsibilities effectively and upholding the legacy of our forebears.We have already hit the ground running.

Following the announcement, we mobilized our team to begin work on revamping the Awgu Games Village and other facilities. Our plan includes delivering a brand-new Games Village and completely renovating the stadium to meet modern standards.

“By the end of this year, we are confident visitors will be highly impressed. Beyond renovations, we are building additional facilities to ensure a world-class experience for athletes and spectators, leaving a lasting legacy in the sports world,” he added.

Hon. Olopade, in his address, praised Enugu’s compelling bid, the state’s existing infrastructure, improved security, and Governor Mbah’s commitment to enhancing sports and social amenities.

These factors, he said, influenced the decision to award Enugu the hosting rights for the 2026 festival, following the 2024 edition set to be hosted by Ogun State.

Related Topics:Enugu Featured National Sports Festival 2026

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FC Barcelona to establish football academy in Bayelsa

The Commissioner for Sports, Dr Daniel Igali, signed on behalf of the state government, while Mr Bernat Villa Garris signed on behalf of Barcelona during the grand finale of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged Prosperity Cup 2026 at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa on Friday.

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1 day ago

May 9, 2026

OhiBaba

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Bayelsa State and Spainish football giant, Barcelona, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a football academy in the state.

Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr Amaju Pinnick, and the federation’s Secretary General, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, witnessed the ceremony.

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Germany defender Sule to retire this summer aged 30

The ex-Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim player was set to be out of contract on 30 June and will retire after the final game of the season.

Published

3 days ago

May 8, 2026

OCHEFA

50 Views

Germany defender, Borussia Dortmund’s Niklas Sule has chosen to retire this summer at the age of 30.

Borussia injured his knee in last month’s Bundesliga defeat at Hoffenheim and initially thought he had suffered a cruciate ligament tear for the third time.

Although he then discovered he had avoided a cruciate ligament tear, Sule says he already felt that his career “was over” as he did not want to risk another serious injury.

The ex-Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim player was set to be out of contract on 30 June and will retire after the final game of the season.

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NFF appoints new Golden Eaglets, Flying Eagles coaches

Maikaba and Uwejamomere’s appointments followed the reshuffling of the backroom of all age grade national football teams.

Published

3 days ago

May 8, 2026

OhiBaba

47 Views

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced the appointments of Abdu Maikaba and Eboboritse Uwejamomere as head coaches of the men’s national U-20 and the U-17 boys national team respectively.

Maikaba and Uwejamomere’s appointments followed the reshuffling of the backroom of all age grade national football teams.

Maikaba, who has managed several of Nigeria’s prestigious clubs, has also previously coached the U17 Boys’ National Team, known as Golden Eaglets. He was assistant coach of the U20 Boys, Flying Eagles, during the period Paul Aigbogun served as head coach.

He has served time with top-of-the-range teams Enyimba FC, Wikki Tourists, Kano Pillars and Plateau United, and famously led Akwa United FC to win the oldest and most prestigious football competition in the land (now known as President Federation Cup) in 2017.

Uwejamomere, the new head coach of five-time world champions Golden Eaglets, has served as coach-analyst with the senior men national team, Super Eagles, for many years now.

He is presently head of academy at Sporting Lagos FC, which recently gained promotion back to the NPFL, and worked as analyst with the senior women national team, Super Falcons, as well as academy youth development coach at Millwall FC, Gillingham FC and Nottingham Forest FC in England.

The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has endorsed the recommendation of the Federation’s Technical and Development Committee for the appointments of Abdu Maikaba and Eboboritse Uwejamomere as head coaches of the U20 and U17 Boys National Teams,” the NFF announced on Thursday.