1996 Olympic bronze medalist, Mary Onyeali and former General Manger of Rangers International Football Club as well as current Chief Operating Officer of Nigeria Professional Football League, Davidson Owumi, were among the big names in the nations sports industry on parade as the governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah inaugurated the Local Organising Committee, LOC, for the 2026 National Sports Festival to be hosted by the state.
Other members of the LOC, which has the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, as the Chairman, are Bamiduro Olumide, a seasoned sports management professional and recently retired Director of Elite Athletes Development, National Sports Commission Aku Aghazu, a skilled lawyer with expertise in sports management a representative of Nilayo Sports Management and Chief Operating Officer of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Blessing Ekwe.
Also, on the Committee are the Director of Organising, Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports Director of Coaching in the Ministry, Ephraim Ochomma Obiora Obasi, also of the state Ministry Chairman of Enugu State Football Association Tony Ugwu and President, Modern Pentathlon Federation of Nigeria, Jonathan Nnaji.
Inaugurating the LOC in his office, Mbah, said the state was not just determined to host the NSF, but to also give the nations sports industry and sports lovers an unforgettable experience.