By Faith Akindele
The maiden Lagos Entertainment Association Games and Awards (LEAGA) 2026, a five-day Sportainment Festival designed to bring together Nigeria’s creative and entertainment industry through sports, wellness and networking, has been described as a long-overdue initiative in the country.
Founder and Platform Servant of Mutual Aids Specialist (MAIDS), Mrs Adetola Adegbayi, stated this on Tuesday at a media briefing on the games held at Studio 18 Hub, No. 18 Adeola Raji Street, Atunrase Estate, Gbagada, Lagos.
Adegbayi, whose organisation is one of the major sponsors and premium insurance partners of the event, said the convergence of sports and entertainment provided an important platform for wellness, community engagement, networking and new opportunities within the creative sector.
According to the organisers, about 463 participants from 13 organisations across Nigeria’s creative and entertainment industry are expected to take part in the maiden edition.
LEAGA 2026, with the theme “Celebrating Creativity, Wellness, Collaboration and Economic Growth through Sportstainment,” is scheduled for September 22–26 in Lagos, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Sports Commission.
Adegbayi said MAIDS decided to fully support the initiative because of the numerous possibilities created by bringing sports and entertainment professionals together in a relaxed environment.
«“We are all out to support these games and that is why we are here. We want to show Nigerians the kind of support we can and have been providing beyond just insurance.»
«“We will provide the necessary support needed to facilitate the smooth running of the games and make everyone a partner or partaker of their money, investment and health,” she said.»
The participating organisations include the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Q Dance Group, Guild of Nigerian Dancers (GOND), Verdant Zeal, National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), Deejays Association of Nigeria (DJAN), Pulse Nigeria, Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria (GOMAN), Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria (FUMAN), Brilla Media, Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Citizen Voice and Star/MiTV-Plus Media.
Co-convener of LEAGA, Ambassador Muyiwa Osinaike FGDN, said the festival would provide an opportunity for professionals from different creative organisations to interact outside their regular occupations through sports, relaxation and celebration.
He disclosed that the games would be staged across three venues — Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Rowe Park Centre, Yaba, and Studio 18 Hub, Gbagada, all in Lagos.
Chairman of Studio 18 Hub and Co-convener of LEAGA 2026, Mr Olufemi Oladeinde, described the initiative as a meeting point where sports, entertainment and the community come together.
He said the organisers have a long-term global vision for the festival, with plans to take the event outside Nigeria within the next five years.
«“In the next five years, we will be having it on the international scene, but we will do the first one in Nigeria and take the next one to either Kenya, South Africa or Morocco,” Oladeinde said.»
He explained that LEAGA was conceived as a Lagos lifestyle blend of sports and entertainment aimed at promoting bonding and healthy interactions among stakeholders in the entertainment, arts, culture and creative economy sectors.
Oladeinde added that the event had received the support of the Lagos State Government and relevant stakeholders in the sports industry.
He said the Lagos State Sports Commission recognised the potential of using the grassroots structure of the creative and entertainment associations as a platform for discovering and nurturing future talents.
«“LEAGA is tagged the Olympics of the entertainment and creative sector in Nigeria and is a five-day sports festival to be filled with fun, networking, wellness, business and a lifestyle blend of sports and entertainment,” he said.»
Veteran Nollywood actress and Amazon Ambassador of LEAGA 2026, Mrs Ronnie Dikko-Kila, also commended the organisers for creating an avenue for members of the creative industry to bond outside their professional routines.
She noted that professionals in the sector could live and work in the same city for years without having meaningful opportunities to interact.
«“This is a programme I am very happy to be associated with because we in the creative industry do not have much time to have a full house where we gather to network.»
«“Members of the creative industry may not even be able to have close contact with themselves for many years, in spite of the fact that we stay in the same state.”»
She added that actors, actresses and other creative professionals were ready to participate and showcase their sporting abilities.
Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, Mary Edwards, said members of the guild were looking forward to participating in the festival.
Edwards said sports could play a significant role in strengthening social relationships and creating greater bonding among members of the creative industry.
«“I am a firm believer that sports can play a greater role in our social life, so we are looking forward to these games as an avenue for more bonding among our members,” she said.»
Other sponsors and partners include Drugstoc Ehub Ltd., partners of Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co. Inc., makers of Salonpas, Pocari Sweat and Hazzat Homes.
Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Prince Ola Uthman Okunnu, assured participants that the organisers had put adequate logistics in place for the maiden edition.
Okunnu said the three venues had been carefully selected based on the quality of infrastructure available, while medical support and ambulances would also be provided throughout the competition.
«“All the logistics are intact, and these games, being the maiden edition, will be a pilot that will set the standard for subsequent editions.»
«“We just want the participants to come and play the games, have fun and enjoy themselves, devoid of too much competitiveness. It will be in a relaxed environment,” he said.»
According to Okunnu, participants will compete in football, basketball, table tennis, tennis, ludo, draughts, arm wrestling, Ayo, sack race, 100 metres, 200 metres, mixed 4×100 metres relay, tug-of-war and snooker.
The football and basketball draws for the maiden edition were subsequently conducted by Okunnu and other members of the Main Organising Committee.
Among the ambassadors of LEAGA 2026 are veteran Nollywood actor Segun Arinze, ace Fuji musician Abass Akande Obesere, and CEO/Centre Director of the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Qudus Onikeku, among others.
With hundreds of professionals from different arms of Nigeria’s creative economy expected to converge in Lagos, LEAGA 2026 is set to test a new model of using sport as a bridge for entertainment, wellness, networking, community engagement and economic opportunities.
