The National Sports Commission has confirmed 20 sports for the 23rd National Sports Festival — the Coal City Games — set to hold from 27 November to 11 December 2026 in Enugu. The decision follows a meeting between NSC Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade and States' Directors of Sports in Abuja. Olopade affirmed the NSC's authority to organise the festival and explained the reduction from previous editions was due to the country's economic conditions. The selection aligns with the format of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where some disciplines are being merged. Improved communication with states will be prioritised, the Commission said. The approved sports are: Athletics and Para Athletics, Badminton and Para Badminton, Basketball and Wheelchair Basketball (3×3), Boxing, Canoeing and Para Canoeing, Cricket, Cycling, Darts, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Judo, Mixed Martial Arts, Shooting and Para Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis, Tennis, Taekwondo, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, and Wrestling. The list replaces broader multi-sport inclusions with combined able-bodied and para categories. The meeting included Directors of Sports from all six geo-political zones, the Director of the National Sports Festival and Para Sports Department, and other key stakeholders. No new sports were added beyond the 20 named. The Commission did not provide details on venues, funding, or athlete selection criteria.
The NSC's decision to limit the 2026 National Sports Festival to 20 sports mirrors cost-cutting seen at the Commonwealth Games, yet excludes high-participation disciplines previously featured. This narrowing may restrict opportunities for athletes in non-selected sports despite their competitive readiness. No Nigerian athlete mentioned in the announcement stands to gain or lose based on the current list. The move prioritises economic pragmatism over broad sporting inclusion.
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