The National Intermediate Games scheduled to take place in Lagos from October 1 to 15, 2026, have been postponed to the first quarter of 2027 following a review of preparations for the maiden edition.
The postponement was communicated by the Lagos State Sports Commission to the National Sports Commission after officials and the Local Organising Committee assessed the level of readiness for the event.
An independent Quality Control and Assurance Specialist was also involved in the assessment, which followed a joint technical meeting held between September 3 and 6.
The review examined several aspects of the competition, including proposed venues, sporting events, technical requirements, rules, regulations and other operational arrangements.
The assessment found that the National Intermediate Games could technically go ahead, but officials concluded that the remaining preparation period was too short to deliver an event of the standard expected for such a major national competition.
The National Sports Commission said the decision was made to preserve the quality and credibility of the Games while establishing a strong foundation for future editions.
According to the commission, the postponement will help ensure that the inaugural competition meets the expected standard and provides an operational benchmark for subsequent editions.
Lagos State, which is hosting the event, has reaffirmed its commitment to staging the Games and will continue working with the National Sports Commission and other stakeholders while a new date is being determined.
Preparatory activities under the NSC’s responsibility will also continue despite the postponement. These include accreditation, zonal elimination competitions for team sports and other technical and operational preparations.
The Local Organising Committee will finalise the new schedule and officially announce the date for the rescheduled National Intermediate Games.
The maiden edition was initially expected to attract about 15,000 athletes between the ages of 15 and 18 to Lagos.
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