Delta State has emerged overall champion at the finals of the South-South Geopolitical Basic Education School Sports (BESS) Competition for Primary Schools in the region, held on Friday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Delta finished in 1st position with a dominant haul of 13 Gold, 9 Silver and 6 Bronze medals, totalling 28 medals, to beat five other South-South states in the keenly contested competition.
Akwa Ibom State placed 2nd with 7 Gold, 3 Silver and 5 Bronze medals, while host Rivers State finished 3rd with 3 Gold, 8 Silver and 5 Bronze medals.
Bayelsa State finished 4th with 3 Gold, 6 Silver and 8 Bronze medals, while Edo State placed 5th with 1 Gold, 0 Silver and 4 Bronze medals. Cross River State finished 6th without a medal.
The competition, organized by the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, under its programmes, is aimed at reviving grassroots sports, discovering young talents at an early age, and promoting unity and healthy competition among primary school pupils across the South-South region.
Pupils from the six South-South states competed in 11 games, namely Scrabble, Ayo, Badminton, Table Tennis, 100 Meters, 200 Meters, 400 Meters, 4 x 100 Meters Relay, High Jump, Long Jump and Football.
The closing ceremony was held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The Executive Chairman of the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Hon. Samuel Mariere, who witnessed the event in Port Harcourt, led the Delta contingent to the competition.
Mariere, who is the Dean of South-South SUBEB Chairmen, spoke at the closing ceremony where he also represented the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Aisha Garba.
Speaking shortly after Delta was declared overall winner, Hon. Mariere described the victory as a well-deserved reward for hard work, discipline and thorough preparation.
“This victory is a clear testimony to the commitment of His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to the development of basic education and grassroots sports in Delta State under the MORE Agenda.
“Our pupils have made us proud. They competed with discipline, determination and excellent sportsmanship, and they have shown that Delta is truly a home of champions”, the Subeb Boss stated.
Continuing Mariere said, “I commend our coaches, teachers, parents and SUBEB officials for the thorough preparation and for believing in these children. This triumph is also a confirmation that the BESS Competition, which was introduced to restore the culture of organised sports in our primary schools, is yielding the desired results.
“I dedicate this victory to God almighty, to Governor Oborevwori, to our pupils, and to the good people of Delta State. We will sustain this victory by intensifying talent discovery, and continue to provide the platform for our children to excel and represent Nigeria at the national level”.
The former Lawmaker assured that Delta SUBEB will not relent in its efforts to develop basic education and school sports, stressing that Delta will continue to lead in both academics and sports in the country.
