Ondo Wins 31 Medals, Emerges Overall Winner of BESS Games

Ondo State has been declared the overall winner of the inaugural 2024 Basic Education School Sports Competition (BESS Games), organized by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in collaboration with the State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Education Board.

Out of the 25 states that participated, Ondo State achieved remarkable success, winning a total of 31 medals: 9 gold, 12 silver, and 10 bronze.

The first-ever national primary and secondary school games took place in the nation’s capital and culminated over the weekend after 10 days of competitive events in various categories.

Following Ondo State, Akwa-Ibom State secured second place with a total of 17 medals, including 6 gold, 6 silver, and 5 bronze. The FCT rounded out the top three, also with 17 medals—5 gold, 3 silver, and 9 bronze.

Mrs. Joseph Olabisi, the President of the Nigeria School Sports Federation, described the tournament as an exciting event where new talents were discovered.

She said: “I must tell you that it’s been 10 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 a 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.

“We have seen them display exceptional skills, what you will not expect maybe of a six-year-old.”

She commended UBEC, 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 positive and impactful like sport.

She said: “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.

He urged stakeholders to be united in ensuring that children who are out – of – school are brought into the school system, stressing that sports are a veritable tool to bring children into the school system and to engage them positively.

She noted that the first edition of the BESS Game comprises nine sporting activities, Athletics, Badminton, Chess, Scrabble, Table Tennis, Volleyball, handball and football in 40 events aimed at discovering the champion in every child. The children competed for 136 medals

Executive Secretary of 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 marked a significant milestone in the efforts to promote holistic education across the country.

He said: “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.”

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.

Mary Onyali-Omagbemi, a highly decorated former Nigerian female sprinter who won several medals in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games, and other international competitions, was on hand to give charge to the young athletes.

The Olympian medalist recalled that she started her sporting activities at age 6, inspiring the pupils and students with her story of how she rose through the ranks to represent herself, her family, Nigeria, and the world in international competitions.

She admonished the students to balance education with 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.