DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Sports

Yusuf Alli Says EKO 2026 Will Expose States That Poach Athletes

From ThisDay · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Nigeria's inaugural National Intermediate Games, EKO 2026, will bring athletes aged 15 to 18 together in Lagos from October 1 to 15 across 28 sports.
  • Former Olympian Yusuf Alli says the event will distinguish states that develop athletes from those that recruit established competitors for medal success.
  • Organizers expect more than 14,000 athletes from Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with talent identification central to the competition.

Yusuf Alli wants EKO 2026 to reveal which Nigerian states actually develop athletes and which simply recruit them when medals are at stake. The former Olympian says the inaugural National Intermediate Games will serve as a test of grassroots sport across the country.

The event is scheduled for Lagos from October 1 to 15. Athletes aged 15 to 18 will compete in 28 sports, with organizers expecting more than 14,000 participants from Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

This will expose states. States that just go and buy athletes for festivals, this will determine the ones that have really been training.

· Yusuf AlliAlli described how the Games will distinguish athlete development from recruitment.

“This will expose states. States that just go and buy athletes for festivals, this will determine the ones that have really been training,” Alli said. He said the competition should shift attention away from short-term medal totals and toward states with sustainable systems for producing athletes.

I know for sure that states like Edo and Lagos train athletes very well. It will come to play for us to see the states that have been training athletes.

· Yusuf AlliHe identified states he believes have strong training systems.

Alli specifically cited Edo and Lagos as states that train athletes well. The contrast between youth and senior competitions highlights the issue. Delta retained its National Sports Festival title in 2025 with 323 medals, including 122 gold, while Lagos topped the 2025 National Youth Games medal table with 52 gold medals.

The Intermediate Games are intended to occupy the stage between introductory youth competition and senior sport. Talent identification teams will monitor athletes who may not yet be ready for major success but could develop in the future. “We look at the extra-talented athletes that may not have what it takes now, but may have what it takes in the future,” Alli said. For him, the Games' real measure will be how many young competitors states identify, develop and retain as they move toward senior competition.

We look at the extra-talented athletes that may not have what it takes now, but may have what it takes in the future. Those are the ones we are really looking to concentrate on.

· Yusuf AlliHe explained the Games' focus on identifying developing talent.
About this summary

Originally published by ThisDay in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog