The Delta State Government has vowed to take legal action against the National Sports Commission (NSC) if it proceeds with plans to award the hosting rights of the 2026 National Youth Games to Lagos State. The Delta State Sports Commission cited a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development in 2023, which grants Delta the right to host four consecutive editions of the games.
The functioning Director-General of the Delta State Sports Commission, Emuobo Egalase, stated that the MOU still subsists and that there is no reason for the NSC to jettison the agreement. “The change of nomenclature from the Federal Ministry for Youth and Sports Development does not invalidate the earlier agreement signed between both parties,” she said.
Egalase expressed confidence that Delta State is still ready to host the 10th edition of the games in 2026 and urged the NSC to abide by the rules of engagement. “Anything contrary to the earlier agreement smacks of distrust and lack of integrity on the part of the apex sports governing body,” she added.
In a surprising twist, the Delta State Sports Commissioner suggested that the NSC consider Lagos State as the host of the maiden edition of the proposed National Intermediate Games. “It would be a thing of joy for Lagos to become the first state to host the event in a bid to set the tone for subsequent editions,” she said.
The development has sparked a heated debate in the sports community, with many wondering what the NSC’s next move will be. Will Delta State’s threat of legal action pay off, or will the NSC stick to its plans to award the hosting rights to Lagos State? Only time will tell.
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