By Chidimma C. Okeke
Ondo State has emerged as the overall winner of the maiden 2024 Basic Education School Sports competition (BESS Games), out of 25 states that participated in the games, after winning 31 medals including 9 Gold, 12 Silver and 10 Bronze.
Ondo clinched the first position, Akwa-Ibom state came second with 17 medals comprising 6 Gold, 6 Silver and 5 Bronze while Federal Capital Territory (FCT), came third with 17 medals including 5 Gold, 3 Silver and 9 Bronze.
The first national primary and secondary schools competition held in Abuja, came to an end during the weekend after 10 days of competitive games in different categories of Athletics, Badminton, Chess, Scrabble, Table Tennis, Volleyball, HandBall Football in 40 events where the children competed for 136 medals.
President of Nigeria School Sports Federation, Mrs. Joseph Olabisi, described the tournament as an exciting event where talents were discovered.
“I must tell you that its been10 exciting days. In the past 10 days, we have discovered talents. The Basic Education School Sports that we call BESS Game is the birthing of new generation of athletes. We are starting from where it ought to be, from age six, the youngest of them all is six years and four months.”
Olabisi said: “We have seen them display exceptional skills, what you will not expect maybe of a six-year-old.”
She commended Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), States Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBBEBS) and FCT Education Board for organising the game, saying it was an investment into the future of the children to raise their inherent energy to something that is positive and impactful like sport.
“What this means is that we are already taking them away from social vices, we are already charting a course that is positive for them. Apart from developing them to be future Olympians, we have been able to create that bond for unity from what they have learnt,” she said.
Speaking, the Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, said it was very interesting watching the young athletes demonstrate not only their talents and skills but also their dedication, discipline, and the spirit of sportsmanship.
While congratulating the participants, Bobboyi noted that the competition marks a significant milestone in the efforts to promote holistic education across the country.
“At UBEC, we recognise that education goes beyond the classroom and academic achievements. It encompasses physical development, mental resilience, fostering teamwork and instilling leadership skills,” he said.
Bobboyi encouraged learners to continue to value the importance of physical education and sports, urging school administrators and policymakers to integrate these activities into the regular curriculum so that every child can benefit from the many positive outcomes that come with sports participation.
A highly decorated former Nigerian female sprinter who won several medals in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games, and other international competitions, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi was on hand to give charge to the young athletes.
Onyali said she started her sporting activities at an early age, inspiring the pupils and students with her story on how she rose through ranks to represent herself, family, the Nation, Nigeria and the world in international competitions.
She admonished the students to balance education with the sports, bearing in mind that there is life after sports, noting that with discipline, determination and dedication they would certainly achieve their goals in life.
