The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has charged coaches across the state’s various sports associations to intensify preparations for the 2026 National Intermediate Games, urging Team Edo to compete for honours rather than mere participation.
Speaking during an engagement with coaches at the Iconic Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Media Centre in Benin City on Wednesday, Enabulele said the meeting was convened to assess Team Edo’s level of preparedness, identify challenges and develop strategies that would enhance the state’s medal prospects at the competition.
A statement by his Media Aide, Mr. Edoko Wilson Edoko, quoted the Sports Commission Chairman as saying that Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration has placed sports development among its priorities, making it imperative for athletes and coaches to justify the government’s investment with impressive performances.
“We are not going to the Games just to participate; we are going to compete and win medals. It will not be business as usual because Governor Monday Okpebholo is passionate about restoring Edo State’s sporting glory,” Enabulele said.
He urged coaches to immediately commence intensive training programmes for their athletes, stressing that success at the Games would require discipline, commitment and teamwork.
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Drawing inspiration from Team Edo’s overall victory at the second Niger Delta Sports Festival, Enabulele expressed confidence that the state could replicate—and even surpass—that achievement at the National Intermediate Games.
Enabulele also assured the coaches that the Commission would address the challenges raised during the meeting as quickly as possible, reaffirming his commitment to creating an enabling environment for athletes and coaches to excel.
According to him, the Commission’s mandate, in line with the vision of Governor Monday Okpebholo and Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, is to restore Edo State’s position as a dominant force in Nigerian sports through sustained investment in grassroots development and athlete welfare.
He concluded by encouraging the coaches to work collectively towards the success of Team Edo, emphasizing that collaboration, dedication and proper preparation would be key to achieving outstanding results.
The 2026 National Intermediate Games, tagged Eko 2026, is scheduled to hold in Lagos State from October 1 to 15, 2026, with Team Edo expected to compete in about 33 sports at the age-grade competition for athletes between 15 to 18 years.
