Yusuf Alli Says Eko 2026 Will Expose Athlete‑poaching States – THISDAYLIVE

Former Nigerian Olympian, Yusuf Alli, has stated that the maiden National Intermediate Games, branded EKO 2026, will serve as a litmus test for states genuinely investing in grassroots athlete development versus those relying on recruiting established talents to boost medal counts.

Scheduled to run from October 1 to 15 in Lagos, EKO 2026 will feature athletes aged 15 to 18 competing across 28 sports. Organisers expect more than 14,000 athletes from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to participate in the inaugural edition.

Alli, who is part of the organizing structure, emphasized that the competition is designed to strengthen the pathway between youth and senior sports. “This will expose states. States that just go and buy athletes for festivals — this will determine the ones that have really been training,” he said.

He noted that the Games will shift focus from short-term medal success to identifying 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,” Alli added.

The issue of athlete recruitment has long been debated in Nigeria’s multi-sport competitions. The National Sports Festival, the country’s flagship event, has often been dominated by a handful of states. Delta State, for example, retained its title at the 2025 edition in Ogun, winning 323 medals, including 122 gold. At the youth level, however, Lagos showcased the strength of its development programme by topping the medal table at the 2025 National Youth Games in Asaba with 52 gold medals.

This contrast underscores the…