Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to hosting a world class and memorable 23rd National Sports Festival, tagged the Coal City Games.
The festival is scheduled to take place from November 27 to December 11, 2026, with the governor assuring that the facilities required for the event will be ready ahead of the opening date.
Mbah gave the assurance during a tour of the Awgu Games Village at the weekend, where he inspected ongoing construction and renovation work. The facility, which had been abandoned for years, is being transformed into a modern sports village ahead of the national competition.
The governor said the tight timeline made it necessary for him to personally monitor the progress of work, adding that the site would be transformed from a construction area into a functional Games Village within two months.
Among the projects underway at the Awgu facility are a 1,000 bed hostel, indoor and outdoor courts, a standard FIFA football pitch and an eight lane athletics track. According to the governor, the facilities are being developed to meet international standards and accommodate athletes and officials coming from across the country.
Mbah said the state government’s investment in sports infrastructure goes beyond the immediate needs of the National Sports Festival. He explained that the projects form part of his administration’s broader plan to position Enugu as an attractive destination for investment, business, tourism and living.
The governor also highlighted the extensive work being carried out at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, which is undergoing a major transformation into a modern multi sport complex.
He said the stadium is being equipped with a new FIFA standard football pitch and athletics track, while damaged spectator seats are being replaced and the stands are receiving new roofing and canopy systems.
The VIP and VVIP sections, players’ changing rooms, stadium gates and access control systems are also being upgraded. New LCD scoreboards, perimeter LED display boards and protective fencing are being installed, while the floodlighting system and other electrical and mechanical facilities are being improved.
The external sections of the stadium are also being given a new appearance through modern cladding, landscaping, finishing works and improvements to the surrounding environment.
Beyond football and athletics, the redevelopment includes a new Olympic size swimming pool and upgrades to the Indoor Sports Hall. Facilities for sports such as basketball, volleyball and squash are also being developed or improved, alongside supporting pavilions and other amenities.
Mbah stressed that the project was not simply about renovating a football stadium but about creating a modern sports complex capable of hosting major sporting events.
He said the state government was equally focused on the experience of athletes and officials during the festival, including their accommodation, transportation, logistics and general welfare.
“We are not interested in shifting the date,” the governor said, noting that the state remained committed to delivering the 23rd National Sports Festival as scheduled.
Mbah added that the Coal City Games would provide an opportunity for Enugu to showcase its capacity to host a major national event while leaving behind sports infrastructure that can continue to serve the state long after the festival.
The governor was accompanied during the inspection by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Lloyd Ekweremadu; Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engineer Osita Okoh; Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication, Professor Benedett Okoli; Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Development and Implementation, Architect Uche Nwatu; and Chairman of Awgu Local Government Area, Hon. Uchenna Okolo.
