FIC Report (Lagos State) – The Lagos State Government has declared its readiness to host the first-ever National Intermediate Sports Festival, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu assuring that all venues will meet international standards ahead of the October 1-15 event.
Speaking during an inspection of ongoing rehabilitation works at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, on Saturday, the governor said the state was honoured to have been awarded the hosting rights by the National Sports Commission about two months ago.
“We had the unique opportunity that the National Sports Commission handed over to Lagos, the hosting rights for the very first National Intermediate Sports Festival,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“We are going to be the first state and the first host of this sports festival that would help us do what we are all talking about. We want to hold grassroots sports. We want to encourage the young people before they begin to jump out and run away. We want to hold and develop all the children.”
The governor revealed that between 14,000 and 15,000 athletes from across the country are expected in Lagos for the 15-day fiesta, which is aimed at bridging the gap between school sports and elite competition.
According to him, the festival will serve as a platform to discover and nurture young talents before they seek opportunities abroad.
“This event is an excellent opportunity to bolster grassroots sports development and offer young athletes a platform to discover and refine their talents before progressing to elite levels,”he stated.
Venues earmarked for the games include Teslim Balogun Stadium, Rowe Park, and other sports centres across Surulere, Ifako, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Epe, Agege and Badagry.
Leading government officials on a tour of the facilities, Sanwo-Olu inspected the main football and athletics arenas, the indoor sports hall, volleyball court and swimming pool at Teslim Balogun Stadium.
He disclosed that the main bowl is undergoing major reconstruction, with the football pitch being upgraded to FIFA standards and
natural grass already installed.
“The tartan track is expected to be completed within the next four to six weeks,”the governor explained, adding that the swimming pool and other pending works would be delivered within the allocated period.
He noted that the urgency of the renovation was heightened after Lagos was selected as host of the inaugural games.
The renovation, he said, is part of a broader three-year strategy by his administration to rebuild and upgrade sporting infrastructure across the state.
“We initiated this programme about three years ago to rebuild and upgrade sporting infrastructure in various locations across Lagos,” he said. “By October, Teslim Balogun Stadium and other venues will meet international standards.”
Sports analysts say the National Intermediate Sports Festival is designed to keep young athletes engaged domestically and reduce talent drain.
With Lagos’track record of hosting major sporting events, the governor expressed confidence that the state would deliver a hitch-free festival.
“As the first host, we have a responsibility to set the standard. Lagos will not just host, we will host excellently,” Sanwo-Olu assured.
The National Intermediate Sports Festival is scheduled to hold from October 1 to 15, 2025.
Ojiugo Okameme
Principal Information Officer 1
10/7/2026
