The 1996 Olympic bronze medalist, Mary Onyeali and former General Manger of Rangers International Football Club as well as current Chief Operating Officer of Nigeria Professional Football League, Davidson Owumi, were among the big names in the nation’s sports industry on parade as the governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah inaugurated the Local Organising Committee, LOC, for the 2026 National Sports Festival to be hosted by the state. Other members of the LOC, which has the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu, as the Chairman, are Bamiduro Olumide, a seasoned sports management professional and recently retired Director of Elite Athletes Development, National Sports Commission; Aku Aghazu, a skilled lawyer with expertise in sports management; a representative of Nilayo Sports Management; and Chief Operating Officer of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Blessing Ekwe.
Also, on the Committee are the Director of Organising, Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports; Director of Coaching in the Ministry, Ephraim Ochomma; Obiora Obasi, also of the state Ministry; Chairman of Enugu State Football Association Tony Ugwu; and President, Modern Pentathlon Federation of Nigeria, Jonathan Nnaji.
Inaugurating the LOC in his office, Mbah said the state was not just determined to host the NSF, but to also give the nation’s sports industry and sports lovers an unforgettable experience. Mbah said the government was deliberate in the choice of members, assembling experienced persons from around the country to ensure that Enugu lived up to expectation.
“We want to set the standard because we are Enugu. I am happy that the membership of the LOC is quite rich. It comprises people with great experience in sport administration, and frankly speaking, their reputations precede them,” he said.
Mbah added that the state would also leverage its experience hosting the 2009 Under 17 FIFA World Cup and the recent Enugu City International Marathon, noting that his administration was already taking steps to ensure that the sports infrastructure for the NSF were brought to world standard.
and ensure the availability of the games village that will accommodate all the accredited athletes and officials.
Responding, LOC Chairman, Ekweremadu, thanked the governor for considering them fit for the job, assuring that the Committee would work to give the participants the best experience as directed, but also ensure that Enugu State hosts to win.