By OLANREWAU AKOJEDE

The Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Lekan Fatodu, has promised a spectacular maiden National Intermediate Games.

Fatodu gave the assurance on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), while briefing on Lagos’ readiness.

The games, tagged EKO 2026, is an initiative of the National Sports Commission (NSC) aimed at bridging youth and elite sports.

Athletes from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are expected to participate in the competition.

The maiden games, scheduled for Oct. 1 to Oct. 15, will feature athletes aged between 15 and 18.

Fatodu said facilities designated for the games were in excellent condition, assuring participants and visitors of a seamless experience.

'We are going to give the people of Lagos, Nigerians and international observers a spectacular sporting event during the Intermediate Games,” he said.

He said preparations covered security, accommodation, athletes’ welfare and the availability of required facilities across the games venues.

“The games is an event that is solid from the perspective of security, accommodation, care and the availability of required facilities,” Fatodu said.

According to him, facilities provided for the 38 sports were in top shape and would support smooth and successful competitions.

“The facilities that we have made available for all the 38 sports are in top shape to make it seamless, smooth and really successful,” he said.

Fatodu said Lagos expected local and international participants to enjoy the competition in an atmosphere suitable for high-level sporting engagement.

We expect that the local and international communities will enjoy the games, which will be held in an atmosphere that is more fitting and suitable,” he said.

He added that the games centre was ready to accommodate athletes and guests, expressing excitement over Lagos’ hosting responsibilities.

'The games centre is in its best shape for our international athletes and guests to compete in. We are very excited,” Fatodu said.

On the recently concluded ninth Lagos International Badminton Classics, Fatodu said the state would continue attracting international sporting competitions.

“Year-on-year, the Lagos International Badminton Classics keeps improving, and a lot of athletes have been discovered,” he said.

He noted that increasing participation by international athletes had strengthened the competition and provided opportunities for athletes to improve their rankings.

“A lot of athletes are also excited by the fact that their ratings are improving,” Fatodu said.

He said the tournament also offered visiting athletes an opportunity to experience Lagos while promoting the state as an international sports destination.

“The games provide a friendly atmosphere for these international athletes to see the beauty of Lagos.

'We are using the opportunity to showcase Lagos as a destination for international-level sporting engagement,” Fatodu said.

He said the Badminton Classics also exposed young Nigerians to international competition, helping identify athletes with potential for future development.

“The International Classics also provide opportunities for our young people to be inspired, identified and discovered,” he said.

Fatodu added that such exposure would help promising athletes gain the experience and opportunities required to progress towards international sporting success.(NAN)