Governor Peter Mbah has renewed Enugu’s commitment to a memorable National Sports Festival as he inspected facilities at Awgu Games Village ahead of the 2026 event.
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah has inspected ongoing works at the Awgu Games Village, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to delivering a world-class and memorable 23rd National Sports Festival.
The festival, tagged “Coal City Games,” is scheduled to hold in Enugu State from November 27 to December 11, 2026.
Mbah, who visited the Awgu Games Village at the weekend, said the facilities would be ready for the Games, despite the tight timeline.
The governor said the long-abandoned Games Village was being transformed into a modern sports facility, with work ongoing on a 1,000-capacity hostel, indoor and outdoor courts, a standard football pitch and an eight-lane athletics track.
“I have to come because we have a very tight timeline and this project must be ready. It means that in less than two months, this place will no longer be a construction site. It will become a world-class Games Village,” Mbah said.
The governor said the investment was not solely targeted at hosting the National Sports Festival but was part of a broader plan to develop sports infrastructure and strengthen Enugu’s appeal as a destination for investment, tourism, business and living.
Mbah also highlighted the ongoing reconstruction and upgrading of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.
He said the stadium was being transformed into a modern multi-sport complex, with a new FIFA-standard football pitch and athletics track among the facilities being developed.
The project also includes rehabilitation and replacement of spectator seats, new roofing and canopy systems, upgraded VIP and VVIP stands, improved players’ changing rooms and an electronic access-control system.
According to the governor, two new LCD scoreboards, perimeter LED display boards, protective fencing, upgraded floodlighting and other electrical and mechanical facilities are also being installed.
He said the external areas of the stadium were being upgraded through cladding, landscaping, finishing works and improvements to the access environment.
Beyond the main stadium bowl, Mbah said the state was developing an Olympic-size swimming pool and upgrading the Indoor Sports Hall and other indoor and outdoor sporting facilities, including volleyball, basketball and squash facilities.
“We are transforming the entire Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium complex into a modern, world-class multi-sport facility,” he said.
Mbah said the state was concerned not only about successfully hosting the festival but also about the experience of athletes, officials and other contingents visiting Enugu.
He said the government was paying attention to accommodation, logistics and other aspects of the Games to ensure that participants have a memorable experience.
Enugu State secured the hosting rights for the 2026 National Sports Festival after the Federal Government and the state signed the host-state agreement in January 2025. The state government subsequently announced plans to transform the Awgu Games Village and Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium ahead of the event.
The state’s 2026 budget programme also identified the revitalisation of the Awgu Games Village and renovation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium as part of preparations for the festival.
Mbah said Enugu remained committed to completing the facilities ahead of the scheduled festival dates.
Accompanying the governor during the inspection were 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.
Okolo commended the governor for the ongoing transformation of the Awgu Games Village, saying the project would contribute to the development of the area and restore activity to the previously abandoned facility.
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