National Sports Festival Enters New Era as Enugu Secures Major Corporate Sponsors

National Sports Festival Enters New Era as Enugu Secures Major Corporate Sponsors 

By Niyi Busari 

The 23rd National Sports Festival (NSF), scheduled to take place in Enugu State in 2026, has received a major boost as leading corporate sponsors—PremiumTrust Bank and BetKing—have committed to supporting what is projected to be the most impactful edition in the history of the Games, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The sponsorship agreements were formalized following a strategic meeting in Enugu between Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, PremiumTrust Bank Managing Director, Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, CON, and BetKing Managing Director, Gossy Ukanwoke.

The high-level discussions focused on key pillars for delivering a successful Games, including infrastructure development, logistics, youth engagement, legacy programming, and private sector partnerships.

PremiumTrust Bank, a key player in Nigeria’s emerging sports economy and the headline sponsor of the Gateway Games Ogun 2024, has once again taken center stage as the headline sponsor of Enugu 2026. The bank’s renewed investment reflects its growing commitment to grassroots and elite sports development across the country.

Meanwhile, BetKing—one of Nigeria’s leading sports betting platforms—was also confirmed as a major sponsor, further reinforcing private sector confidence in the strategic direction of the National Sports Commission and the transformative potential of sports in Nigeria.

Stakeholders at the meeting praised Governor Peter Mbah’s visionary leadership, citing his dedication to infrastructure renewal, youth empowerment, and governance innovation as critical factors in attracting top-tier sponsors.

“The confidence shown by PremiumTrust Bank and BetKing is not accidental,” said Hon. Bukola Olopade, NSC Director General. “It’s a direct reflection of Governor Mbah’s bold agenda and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope initiative, which places sports at the heart of our national development strategy.”

Olopade emphasized that the partnerships are part of a broader effort to reposition sports as a vital sector in Nigeria’s economy—one capable of driving GDP growth, job creation, and social development.

 “This is a turning point for Nigerian sports. We're seeing the Renewed Hope agenda come to life. Sport is no longer a side project—it is a national asset,” he declared.

Since its restructuring, the National Sports Commission, under Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and DG Hon. Bukola Olopade, has aggressively pursued a roadmap to reposition sports as a catalyst for national progress—aligned with President Tinubu’s economic renewal strategy.

With planning for Enugu 2026 now well underway, and top corporate partners already on board, the 23rd National Sports Festival is being billed as a landmark edition—set to redefine the scope and legacy of multi-sport events in Nigeria.