Lagos 2026: Overseas-Based Stars Arrive for Landmark National Intermediate Games Debut

"We are very excited about this initiative because of the immediate and futuristic impact it will have on our sports development"

Samuel AkpanFebruary 24, 20261 Mins read956

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has confirmed that Invited Diaspora Athletes (IDA) will take part in the maiden edition of the National Intermediate Games, due to be staged in Lagos later in 2026, lining up as the 38th state.

This groundbreaking inclusion forms one of the flagship reforms rolled out by the NSC under the stewardship of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General, Bukola Olopade, as a core component of the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE).

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Olopade highlighted the immediate impact of the Diaspora Discovery Athletes Committee.

Under the leadership of Tunde Adelakun, the committee has already sparked significant interest among Nigerian athletes abroad who are eager to represent their home country.

Olopade noted that this enthusiastic response paved the way for the Diaspora team’s full clearance to compete in the upcoming Intermediate Games in Lagos.

“We are very excited about this initiative because of the immediate and futuristic impact it will have on our Sports development. At the Intermediate Games in Lagos , we will be having about 50 athletes that will be coming from the Diaspora, competing for IDA,” he said.

He added: “This will surely be another major game changer for Nigerian sports and it will surely upscale the competitive edge of Team Nigeria at major International competitions.”

Adelakun, Chairman of the Diaspora Discovery Athletes Committee, assured that the IDA squad would be fully prepared for both the upcoming Intermediate Games and future national championships.

He also lauded the National Sports Commission (NSC) for its commitment to spearheading this ambitious initiative.

“We are already working on having a camp site here in Europe where we will have all the Invited Diaspora Athletes, from where we will pick the team for the intermediate games.

“I must tell you, the athletes are already looking forward to this because it has never happened in the history of our country,” Adelakun said.

Persecondnews reports that the inclusion of the Diaspora team mirrors the success of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) at the 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State.

Much like the IJA—who competed as the 37th state and secured several medals—the Invited Diaspora Athletes (IDA) will join this year’s Lagos games as the 38th state.