Several northern states say they may boycott the 2026 National Sports Festival in Enugu over a major reduction in events.
Officials from some northern states have raised concerns after reports that the number of sports for the 2026 festival was reduced from 40 to 15 by the National Sports Commission.
Abdullahi Masu said the decision is unfair and harmful to sports growth across the country.
Speaking in Minna, Masu said states like Niger State have spent years training athletes for events that are now reportedly excluded.
He warned that many athletes would lose the chance to compete, making government spending on preparations a waste of public funds.
Masu also said major team sports such as handball, volleyball, basketball, football, and hockey were among the events removed from the lineup.
According to him, the cuts could increase unemployment among athletes and weaken grassroots sports development nationwide. He called on the National Sports Commission to reverse the decision and expand the list of events to allow wider participation.
Masu also questioned whether Enugu State can host the festival under the current arrangement, suggesting the hosting rights could be shared or moved if necessary.
The National Sports Festival is Nigeria’s biggest multi-sport event and is seen as a key platform for discovering future champions.
With months to go before the competition, pressure is now mounting for officials to resolve the dispute quickly.