Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to hosting a world-class and memorable 23rd National Sports Festival, tagged “Coal City Games”, scheduled to hold from November 27 to December 11, 2026.
The governor gave the assurance during a weekend inspection of the Awgu Games Village, one of the designated venues for the national sporting event, where he assessed the pace and quality of ongoing construction works.
Mbah said the state was working towards completing the facilities within the next two months, expressing confidence that the long-abandoned Games Village would be transformed into a modern sporting complex capable of accommodating athletes and officials from across the country.
He disclosed that construction was ongoing on a 1,000-bed hostel, indoor and outdoor courts, a standard FIFA football pitch and an eight-lane athletics track.
“Recall the commitment we made as a government that we are going to make the 23rd National Sports Festival one of the most memorable festivals in the history of the event,” the governor said.
He stressed that the tight construction schedule required sustained efforts to ensure that the facilities were ready before the commencement of the Games.
“In less than two months, this place will no longer be a construction site. It will become a world-class Games Village,” he said.
The governor explained that the projects were part of his administration’s broader development agenda and not merely preparations for the sporting festival.
According to him, the massive investment in sports infrastructure aligns with his vision of positioning Enugu as a preferred destination for investment, business, tourism and living.
Mbah also disclosed that the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu was undergoing extensive reconstruction and modernisation to bring it up to FIFA standards.
He assured the National Sports Commission that the state remained committed to the scheduled dates for the festival, ruling out any intention to seek a postponement.
The governor outlined several ongoing improvements at the stadium, including the installation of a new FIFA-standard football pitch and athletics track, rehabilitation and replacement of spectator seats, and the construction of a new roofing and canopy system to cover the stands.
Other projects include the upgrading of VIP and VVIP stands, players’ changing rooms, stadium gates and access-control systems, as well as the installation of two new LCD scoreboards, perimeter LED display boards and protective fencing around the main stadium bowl.
He added that the floodlighting system and other electrical and mechanical installations were also being upgraded, alongside extensive finishing, landscaping and improvements to the stadium’s external environment.
Beyond the main stadium, Mbah said the government was constructing a new Olympic-size swimming pool and upgrading the Indoor Sports Hall, alongside indoor and outdoor facilities for volleyball, basketball, squash and other sporting activities.
He described the project as a comprehensive transformation of the entire Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium complex into a modern, multi-sport facility rather than a mere renovation of a football stadium.
The governor said his administration was equally concerned about the overall experience of participating athletes, including their accommodation, transportation and other logistical arrangements.
He maintained that the state was putting the necessary measures in place to ensure a smooth and memorable festival for athletes, officials and other participants.
Those who accompanied the governor on the inspection tour included the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu; Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Osita Okoh; Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication, Prof. Benedett Okoli; Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Development and Implementation, Arch. Uche Nwatu; and Chairman of Awgu Local Government Council, Hon. Uchenna Okolo.
The Awgu council chairman commended Mbah for reviving the long-abandoned Games Village, expressing optimism that its transformation would accelerate development in the area.
The 23rd National Sports Festival, branded the Coal City Games, is scheduled to take place in Enugu State from November 27 to December 11, 2026.
