By Andrew Abah, Abuja
The National Sports Commission has clarified misconceptions relating to the events for the 23rd National Sports Festival in Enugu, confirming that 20 sports have been picked to feature at the Games.
The NSC said the clarification has become very important to set the records straight following a meeting between the Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade and States’ Directors of Sports in Abuja.
The DG reiterated the Commission’s exclusive rights to organise and coordinate the National Sports Festival and reaffirmed that the decision to reduce the number of sports to 20 was taken at the last National Council on Sports meeting held in Calabar, in consideration of the prevailing economic realities in the country.
The DG further explained that the Commission’s decision to come up with a list of 20 sports for the games is in line with the model being used for the 2026 Commonwealth games in Glasgow, Scotland, where some sports are merged.
The Sports Commission assured that there will be an improved communication with states on matters relating to the Sports Festival through the Director of Sports.
The list of the 20 Sports approved for the Coal City Games, Enugu 2026 include:
- Athletics and Para Athletic
- Badminton and Para Badminton
- Basketball and Wheelchair Basketball ( 3×3)
- Boxing
- Canoeing and Para Canoeing
- Cricket
- Cycling
- Darts
- Football
- Golf
- Gymnastics
- Judo
- Mixed Martial Arts
- Shooting and Para Shooting
- Swimming
- Table tennis and Para Table Tennis
- Tennis
- Taekwondo
- Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting
- Wrestling
The meeting with the NSC Director General had in attendance, the States’ Directors of Sports representing the Six Geo-Political Zones, the Director of the National Sports Festival and Para Sports Department alongside other critical stakeholders.
