National Sports Commission (NSC) director general, Hnouroable Bukola Olopade has reiterated that the reduction of events to only 20 at this year’s National Sports Festival was occasioned by economic realities affecting the country.
Sports247 reveals that Olopade provided the explanation in reaction to a wave of complaints and agitations trailing the official confirmation of all 20 events at the 23rd National Sports Festival scheduled to hold in Enugu.
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Olopade also faulted what he described as misconceptions surrounding the list of sports for the Coal City Games and appealed for understanding by stakeholders, especially the directors of sports from all states across the country.
He reiterated the commission’s exclusive responsibility to organise and coordinate the festival, while noting that the decision to reduce the number of sports to 20 was taken during the last National Council on Sports meeting held in Calabar.
Olopade explained, “The commission adopted a model similar to the one used for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where some sports are being merged. The decision was informed by prevailing economic realities in the country.
“There is also a need to ensure a more sustainable and efficient festival. We will implement improved communication in this regard. All matters concerning the festival should be routed through the offices of the Directors of Sports.
Sports247 reports that the approved sports disciplines for Coal City 2026 include athletics and para-athletics, badminton and para badminton, basketball, wheelchair basketball (3×3), boxing, darts and para canoeing.
Others are cricket, cycling, football, golf, gymnastics, mixed martial arts, shooting, para shooting, swimming, table tennis, para-table tennis, tennis, taekwondo, judo, canoeing, weightlifting, para-powerlifting and wrestling.
