Lack of preparedness may force postponement of Coal City Games

Cyprian Ajah, Enugu

The 23rd National Sports Festival, scheduled to hold in Enugu, Enugu State, between November 28 and December 11, 2026, may not go ahead as planned.

The Mirror gathered that the Games, tagged “Coal City Games 2026,” are under threat due to the Enugu State Government’s failure to get key facilities ready in time.

Sources further disclosed that the Director General of the National Sports Commission is considering either postponing or outrightly cancelling the Games, as preparations remain far behind schedule with the opening ceremony fast approaching.

It would be recalled that a Joint Technical Meeting (JTM) was held in Enugu on October 26 to assess the State’s level of preparedness. The meeting was preceded by an inspection visit to all proposed sporting venues, as well as medical, transport, and accommodation facilities.

The inspection team comprised members of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), the Local Organising Committee (LOC), State Directors of Sports, Technical Directors of all sports federations in Nigeria, and Secretaries General of the federations.

“The inspection team gave the impression that they were satisfied, but they were not,” a source disclosed.

According to the source, the Joint Technical Committee was dismayed to discover that significant progress had not been made by the Enugu State Government to host the Games.

“Most of the participants who came for the inspection were not satisfied with Enugu State’s preparedness, although they commended the State Government for its efforts in upgrading existing facilities and building new ones,” the source said.

The source added that during the Joint Technical Meeting, the State Government assured the inspection team that all concerns raised would be addressed before the Games commenced. However, there has been no significant improvement in the grey areas identified, raising fears that the Games may either be postponed or cancelled.

He further noted that the Director General of the National Sports Commission was leaning towards postponement, particularly because the LOC had yet to set up a Games Secretariat or firmly secure accommodation for athletes.

“At the JTM, the committee was assured that the Awgu Games Village would be ready to accommodate Enugu State athletes, while the Modern Smart School at Owo and other facilities would accommodate athletes from other states. But none of these has been concluded as we speak. The swimming pool, tartan tracks, and outdoor courts are still under construction, while work on some has not even commenced. In addition, the subcommittees have not been mobilised to perform their assigned tasks. In view of these, the Commission is considering a postponement or outright cancellation of the Games,” the source disclosed.

However, the source hinted that a select group of technical officials will arrive in Enugu on November 14, 2026, for an independent and final assessment, after which the Director General will decide on the next line of action.

“A select group of technical officials will come to Enugu for an independent and final assessment on November 14, and the DG might act on their report the same day or shortly after,” the source said.