Over 13,000 athletes are expected to participate in the maiden Lagos 2026 National Intermediate Games, co-chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Lekan Fatodu, has said.

A total of 13 sub-committees were constituted by the Lagos State Government last Friday to ensure the success of the Games, which will run from October 1 to 15 across various sporting centres in the state.

Speaking during that inaugural meeting of the LOC at the Conference Room of the Chief of Staff, Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja, Fatodu, who is also the Director General of Lagos Sports Commission, revealed that between 13,000 and 15,000 athletes are expected to participate in the Games.

“It is the first time in 14 years that Lagos is hosting another major sporting event after EKO 2012 National Sports Festival and all members of the LOC and sub-committees must brace up to give it the best it deserves,” Fatodu stated.

Earlier, chairman of the LOC, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Sam Egube, urged all members to focus on how to host a Game that will be enviable and stand the test of time.

In particular, Egube warned all committee members to avoid turning any platform associated with the Games into a political arena where election results and political campaigns are discussed.

“Any platform created for this National Intermediate Games must not be used to discuss election results, political campaigns, sing praises of political leaders or family birthdays. It should be purely on issues concerning the Games and how Lagos can host a successful event.

“We have men and women capable of hosting the best Game ever in the history of this country, and I am convinced we will make Lagos and Nigeria proud. To host a Game of this magnitude requires wisdom, maturity and we should submit to the will of the majority,” Egube, a former Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget in Lagos State, stated.