Lagos State on Monday unveiled the official mascot and logo for the maiden National Intermediate Games, marking the formal commencement of activities ahead of the youth sports championship scheduled to hold later this year.
The unveiling ceremony, held in Ikeja, signalled the state’s readiness to host the inaugural competition, which is expected to bridge the gap between the National Youth Games and the National Sports Festival while providing a new platform for discovering and developing young sporting talents.
Speaking at the event, Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Lekan Fatodu, said the unveiling was a public demonstration that Lagos had moved beyond planning and was fully committed to delivering a successful championship.
According to him, the state has already put the necessary organisational structures in place and is working to ensure that every aspect of the Games meets international standards.
“We made a promise that Lagos would host a memorable National Intermediate Games, and what you are seeing today is evidence that the promise is being fulfilled. The mascot and logo represent the beginning of that journey,” he said.
Fatodu said the competition would create opportunities for young athletes to compete at a higher level, attract national attention and advance their careers.
He disclosed that work was progressing at competition venues across the state, including the ongoing rehabilitation of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, while partnerships with privately owned sports facilities would further expand the number of venues available for the Games.
“Lagos has the advantage of quality private sporting facilities and we are leveraging those partnerships to give athletes the best possible experience. Beyond hosting the Games, these facilities will continue to serve talent development long after the competition,” he added.
Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, said Lagos was selected as host because of its long-standing investment in grassroots sports and its structured approach to athlete development.
He noted that the state has consistently produced young athletes capable of competing at elite level, making it the ideal location to stage the inaugural edition of the championship.
“Lagos has built one of the most organised grassroots sports systems in Nigeria. The pathway from school sports to elite competition is already visible, and that made the state the natural choice to host the first National Intermediate Games,” Olopade said.
He also announced that Nigerian children living abroad would participate in the Games as the 38th state, with selection trials scheduled for July 17 in London.
According to him, the initiative is designed to strengthen the country’s relationship with its diaspora while creating opportunities for talented young Nigerians abroad to compete under the national colours.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende; Deputy Chief of Staff and Co-Chairman of the Games, Sam Egube; sports administrators and other stakeholders from across the country.
The National Intermediate Games is expected to become Nigeria’s premier developmental competition for teenage athletes, providing a transition stage before participation in the National Sports Festival and international competitions.
