National Intermediate Games: NSC announces venue for zonal team sports elimination tournament

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has announced that the Zonal Elimination of Team Sports is being carried out as planned in all geopolitical zones of the country, and has assured all participating states and sports federations that the approved schedule of activities is in full force.

According to the directive, the Zonal Team Sports Qualifier will be held from September 10 to 12, 2026.

Eleven team sports are featured in the knockout round, namely Abula, basketball, beach volleyball, cricket, football, handball, hockey, indoor volleyball, netball, rugby and wheelchair basketball. The exercise is designed to determine the teams that will qualify to represent their respective zones at the National Intermediate Games, and all competitions must be conducted in strict accordance with the approved Technical Manual and the Rules and Regulations governing the Games.

The venues for the Zonal Eliminations have been confirmed throughout the country. The South South Zonal Elimination will take place at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar, Cross River State. The North West Zone will use the Murtala Muhammad Square in Kaduna, while the North East Zone will compete at the August 27 Stadium in Damaturu, Yobe State. The South West Zonal Elimination will take place at the Adamasingba Stadium, Oyo State.

Within the Jos cluster at Plateau State, cricket and basketball events will be held at Rayfield, while beach volleyball will be held at St. John’s College. Hockey competitions are scheduled for the police training ground along JD Gomwalk Road, and football will be held at the NTA TV College grounds. All remaining Jos group events will also take place at Rayfield.

The National Sports Commission remains fully committed to the smooth and successful holding of the National Intermediate Games and expresses its sincere gratitude to all zonal coordinators, state sports councils, sports federations and partners for their continued cooperation and dedication to the development of grassroots sports in Nigeria.

The inaugural National Intermediate Games will take place in the first quarter of 2027, with Lagos hosting the rest of the nation.