As NSC DG, Olopade applauds move By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau Preparations for the 23rd National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged Coal City Games Enugu 2026 have taken a significant leap as Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu state government officially inaugurated the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) on Wednesday in Enugu, the state capital. This is even as the governor has outlined the state’s bold and transformative plan to ensure the success and lasting impact of the festival when the large army of the Nigerian youth come to Enugu next year. Prompt News reports that Mbah’s swift action and commitment to hosting a successful festival has received some pleasant words from the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade who said he is pleased with the inauguration of the festival’s LOC. Said he: “With the inauguration of this high-powered Local Organizing Committee, we are confident that the Coal City Games Enugu 2026 will raise the bar in excellence, inclusion, and legacy”. Speaking further, Olopade said that the calibre of individuals in the LOC reflects the seriousness with which Enugu is approaching the national assignment. “The National Sports Commission is fully aligned and will provide all necessary support to ensure a seamless festival that inspires hope, talent discovery, and national unity,” DG,Olopade assured. Meanwhile, Gov. Mbah has outlined the state’s bold and transformative plans to ensure the success and lasting impact of the festival. According to him, the plans include the construction of a new Games Village to accommodate athletes and officials; Remodelling of the existing stadiums into state-of-the-art facilities capable of hosting international competitions;Development of additional sporting facilities across the state that meet global standards and Support year-round sports development. Mbah further stated that the state governmentplans to promote local content through prioritizing local contractors, vendors, and creatives before and during the festival to stimulate the local economy and also celebrate Enugu’s rich cultural heritage. Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Lloyd Ike-Ekweremadu Jr. leads the LOC inaugurated on Wednesday by Gov. Mbah, just as other members of the Committee include: *Bamiduro Olumide – Sports management expert and former national badminton champion – Secretary General*Mary Onyali – Olympian and former international sprint queen*Aku Akazu – Sports lawyer and 2nd Vice president AFN*Victor Okorie – Elite athlete and member of AFN*Blessing Chisalam Ekwe – COO of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, FIFA-licensed agent*Davidson Owumi – COO of the Nigeria Professional Football League, former GM, Enugu Rangers*Tony Ugwu – Chairman, Enugu State Football Association*Henry Chinedu Okorie – Nigeria Olympic Committee Executive Member, Chair of the Athletics Athletes Commission*Jonathan Nnaji – President, Nigeria Modern Pentathlon Federation; VP, Africa Modern Pentathlon Confederation*Boniface Onovo – Director of Organizing, Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports*Ephraim Ochonma – Director of Coaching, Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports*Obiora Obasi – Technical Assistant to the Honourable Commissioner. READ ALSO: FCT police arrest three key suspects in kidnapping cases Gov. Mbah inaugurates LOC for 23rd National Sports Festival, ‘Enugu 2026’ Nurse sentenced to life imprisonment for killing five newborns Celtic ponder move for Kelechi Iheanacho Tinubu committed to uplifting poor Nigerians – Bagudu The 23rd edition of NSF, often referred to as Nigeria’s “Olympics,” is the country’s premier sporting event. It is expected to attract thousands of athletes from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).