By Joel Ajayi
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has confirmed that 20 sports will feature at the 23rd National Sports Festival, scheduled to hold in Enugu State, popularly known as the Coal City Games.
The clarification was made on Monday in Abuja following a meeting with Directors of Sports from across the states, aimed at addressing misconceptions surrounding the sports lineup for the festival.
Speaking after the meeting, the Director-General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, said it had become necessary to set the record straight on preparations for the Games.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s exclusive mandate to organise and coordinate the National Sports Festival, adding that the decision to streamline the number of sports to 20 was reached during the last National Council on Sports meeting held in Calabar.
According to Olopade, the move was informed by the current economic realities in the country and the need to ensure a more efficient and sustainable festival.
The NSC boss further explained that the decision aligns with the model being adopted for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, where some sports have been merged for operational efficiency.
He also assured stakeholders of improved communication with states on matters concerning the festival through the Directors of Sports.
According to him, the list of the twenty(20) Sports approved for the Coal city Games, Enugu 2026 are ; Athletics and Para Athletic , Badminton and Para Badminton, Basketball and Wheelchair Basketball ( 3×3), Boxing, Canoeing and Para Canoeing, Cricket, Cycling, Darts.
Others include, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Judo, Mixed Martial Arts, Shooting and Para Shooting, Swimming, Table tennis and Para Table Tennis,Tennis, Taekwondo, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting and Wrestling
The meeting was attended by Directors of Sports representing the six geo-political zones, the Director of the National Sports Festival and Para Sports Department, as well as other key stakeholders in the sports sector
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