Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade, has expressed confidence in the successful execution of the upcoming National Sports Festival, stating that planning has progressed significantly beyond preliminary stages.
Speaking to journalists about the sustainability and legacy of the festival, Olopade emphasized that responsibility must lie with the Sports Commission rather than host states. “The legacy of the games must come from the Sports Commission, not the host state,” he said.
Olopade noted that one of his first actions upon assuming office was announcing Enugu State as the next host of the National Sports Festival to give the state adequate time to prepare.
Looking ahead, he revealed that states have already begun submitting bids to host future editions of the festival. “We’ve introduced a new process where states can bid early for the 2028 and 2030 games. Anambra State is one of the bidders. This means the next two hosts after Enugu will have four to five years to build the necessary infrastructure,” he said.
The DG assured that the NSC is prepared to support host states not just financially and structurally, but also emotionally, as they work toward successful execution. Reflecting on his past role as a member of a local organising committee, Olopade said his experience has helped bridge the gap between state-level planning and national oversight.
Speaking on the introduction of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) category, Olopade explained that it was designed to bridge grassroots talent with elite sports. “Ninety percent of the kids representing IJA are champions from the youth games. If just one of them wins a bronze medal, they’re automatically elevated to elite status and qualify for elite grants that will prepare them for the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Championships next year,” he explained.
The initiative, he said, is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the talent pipeline and enhance Nigeria’s long-term performance in global sports competitions.
