A declaration by the Director General of Lagos Sports Commission, Olalekan Fatodu, that his state has been granted the hosting right for the 10th edition of the National Youth Games in 2026, has sparked a reaction from Delta State.

During the opening ceremony of the ongoing 9th NYG in Asaba, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, dismissed reports suggesting that Lagos State has been confirmed as the host of the 2026 Games, insisting that no decision has been made and that due process would determine the next host. Olopade said that the NSC would announce the next host during the closing ceremony on September 7.

But Fatodu told journalists on Monday in Asaba that with the opportunity given to Lagos to host the 10th edition of the National Youth Games next year, Nigerians will witness the greatest showpiece.

“Lagos is the capital of commerce, tourism, entertainment, fashion, lifestyle and also the leader in sports. With the opportunity to host the National Youth Games in 2026, Nigerian youths will be treated to an extraordinary show,” Fatodu stated.

The declaration by the Lagos Sports Commission boss is not going down well with Delta State, which had earlier in 2023 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the federal government to host four editions of the NYG, including the 2026 edition.

The Acting Director General of the Delta Sports Commission, Ms. Muobo Igalase, declared that the Commission would not accept any decision by the NSC to hand over hosting rights of the 2026 NYG to Lagos.

Igalase stated that Delta State remains bound by the MoU it signed in 2023 with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, now NSC, to host four consecutive editions of the Games.

According to her, Delta’s contributions to Nigerian sports cannot be undermined, adding that the state has, over the year,s produced champions across athletics, football, boxing, swimming, and weightlifting, many of whom have gone on to shine on continental and global stages.

“Delta has demonstrated capacity, infrastructure, and passion to nurture raw talents into national treasures. From the school sports festivals to grassroots tournaments, the state has built a system that keeps Nigeria’s sporting dreams alive.”

Igalase further revealed that beyond the Asaba facilities, Delta State is already remodelling and upgrading the Warri City Stadium into a brand-new ultra-modern sports complex, billed for commissioning later this year. She noted that the new arena is part of the state government’s long-term commitment to sports excellence and is projected to serve as one of the venues for the 2026 Youth Games.

“With Asaba already proven as a reliable host city, and Warri preparing to unveil a world-class stadium, Delta is not just ready but strategically positioned to elevate the next edition of the Games.”

She added that the renaming of the federal ministry of sports to the NSC does not invalidate the MoU, describing any attempt to strip Delta of the hosting rights as “a breach of trust and disregard for a binding agreement.”

Igalase, a former national volleyball player, maintained that Delta remains fully prepared to welcome the rest of the country in September 2026, confident of once again setting the pace in talent discovery.

Meanwhile, the Delta State Sports Commission advised the NSC to consider Lagos as host of the maiden edition of the proposed National Intermediate Games, a new platform designed to bridge the transition of young athletes discovered at the NYG into senior careers.