Abuja To Host First National Sports Tourism Conference, Exhibition

Preparations have reached an advanced stage for the hosting of the maiden National Sports Tourism Conference and Exhibition (NASTOCE 2026), a major tourism and sports industry event organised by the Ringo Sports Club Nigeria (RSCN).

The conference is endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, in collaboration with the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Abuja FCT Chapter, and supported by several ministries and agencies.

They include the Ministries of Youth Development, Transportation, Aviation, Information and National Orientation, Communications, Interior, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as the National Sports Commission, among others.

The two-day event is scheduled to hold from March 30th – 31st, 2026, at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, with the theme: Leveraging the Intersection of Multi-Sectoral MDAs to Promote Sports Tourism in Nigeria.

The conference will focus on the growing connectivity between tourism and sports, as well as the roles of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), in unlocking the socio-economic potential of sports tourism for national development.

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Speaking on the event, Ahmed Mohammed Sule, President of Ringo Sports Club Nigeria, Convener and Chairman of the National Organising Committee of NASTOCE 2026, said the conference aims to provide a platform for knowledge sharing and networking among stakeholders in the sports and tourism sectors.

According to him, the objectives include highlighting the impact of sports on tourism development, creating a dialogue forum for collaboration between the public and private sectors, fostering partnerships and investment opportunities and showcasing sports tourism products and services through exhibitions.

Sule noted that the theme was carefully chosen to deepen understanding of the intersection between sports and tourism across MDAs and to explore the socio-economic benefits for the country.

He stressed that sports tourism is a fast-growing global sector that can significantly contribute to Nigeria’s economic development, given the country’s rich cultural heritage and diverse natural attractions.

As part of the programme, experts, professionals and chief executives of relevant MDAs will deliver keynote presentations and engage in panel discussions on strategic collaboration for the growth of the sports tourism industry.