Sports
NSC Fixes November 27 for Opening Ceremony of 2026 Coal City Games
…15 compulsory sports set to feature at the Games
The National Sports Commission, NSC, has announced that the highly anticipated 2026 National Sports Festival, tagged Coal City Games, will hold from the 27th of November to the 11th of December this year.
The Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, revealed this on Thursday during the first Main Organising Committee (MOC) meeting for the Games held in Abuja.
He stated that the arrival of states will be from the 25th to 26th of November, while the opening ceremony will hold on the 27th of November and the Games close on the 11th of December 2026, emphasising that the dates are all sacrosanct.
The DG said the final dates were agreed upon following a productive and fruitful meeting he had with the Governor of Enugu State, Barrister Peter Mbah.
“I must commend the Governor of Enugu State, Barrister Peter Mbah, who has shown tremendous enthusiasm in the aggression with which facilities are being built and completed for the Games. This is highly commendable.”
Hon. Olopade further opined that the Coal City Games will break and set a record of being the best sponsored and funded games in the history of the games in Nigeria.
“Let it be on record that the Enugu games, without any argument, is the best sponsored festival in history. The main sponsor, Premium Trust Bank, has made good their commitment and it is a very historic contribution to the festival”.
“The last record was the Gateway Games last year in Abeokuta, which many had described as the best festival ever, but I am very optimistic that Enugu is on the verge of hosting the best well-funded and best well-organised games later this year”.
The DG also stated that as part of the RHINSE reform agenda of the NSC to make hosting of the festival more affordable for states, the number of sports for the Games has been reduced to 20, with 15 NSC compulsory sports while the other five are within the prerogatives of the host state.
The compulsory sports that will feature at the Coal City Games are Athletics, Para Athletics, Badminton, Para Badminton, Basketball, Wheelchair Basketball, Boxing, Cycling, Football, Judo, Gymnastics, Swimming, Table Tennis, Para Table Tennis, Tennis, Taekwondo, Mixed Martial Arts, Weightlifting, Para Powerlifting and Wrestling.
Sports
YellowGreens Thrash The Gambia by 160 Runs in Dominant Display
Joel Ajayi
Selim Salau’s century and a breathtaking late assault from Isaac Okpe powered Nigeria to a dominant opening victory at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C in Abuja.
Nigeria’s senior men’s national cricket team, the YellowGreens, made a resounding start to their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C campaign, defeating The Gambia by 160 runs at the NCF Oval 2 in Abuja on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Nigeria produced a formidable total of 262 for one in their allotted 20 overs, setting The Gambia a daunting target of 263 runs.
The innings was anchored by an outstanding century from Selim Salau, who remained unbeaten on 105 off 58 deliveries, striking 12 fours and three sixes. Isaac Danladi provided excellent support with an impressive 86 off 48 balls, including seven fours and four sixes, as the pair laid the foundation for Nigeria’s commanding total.
Isaac Okpe then delivered a sensational finishing assault, smashing an unbeaten 56 off just 16 deliveries, with three fours and six sixes. His remarkable strike rate of 350.00 propelled Nigeria beyond the 260-run mark and put the hosts firmly in control.
The Gambia faced an uphill battle in their chase and were eventually bowled out for 102 in 17.2 overs, handing Nigeria a comprehensive 160-run victory.
The result marked an emphatic opening statement from the YellowGreens as they began their campaign on home soil with an impressive all-round performance.
The victory also provides Nigeria with valuable momentum in a six-team competition featuring hosts Nigeria, The Gambia, Uganda, Zambia, Lesotho and Mozambique. With the teams competing in a round-robin format, the top two sides will progress to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final in 2027.
Nigeria will look to build on this commanding start as the YellowGreens continue their pursuit of one of the two available qualification places, with their next fixture against Zambia scheduled for Wednesday, 21 October, at the NCF Oval 1 in Abuja.
Final Score
Nigeria: 262/1 (20 overs)
The Gambia: 102 all out (17.2 overs)
Result: Nigeria won by 160 runs.
Key Performers
Selim Salau — 105 not out off 58 balls
Isaac Danladi — 86 off 48 balls
Isaac Okpe — 56 not out off 16 balls
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