By Ayodele Popoola

Okitipupa Zone has emerged as the overall champion of the 2024/2025 Basic Education School Sport (BESS) Competition, triumphing over eight other zones with an impressive medal haul of 11 — comprising 6 gold, 1 silver, and 4 bronze.

Trailing closely behind, Akoko North Zone finished second, also with 11 medals but with a slightly different composition: 3 gold, 4 silver, and 4 bronze. Idanre Zone secured third place with a total of 6 medals — 2 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze.

The other participating zones — Ondo, Akoko South, Akure, Irese/Ese Odo, Owo, and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo — ranked 4th to 9th respectively. Akure Zone, however, distinguished itself by clinching first place in the march-past category.

The two-day state finals, organised by the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), took place at the Saint Thomas Aquinas College Sport Complex in Akure.

Young learners competed across several disciplines, including track and field, scrabble, chess, ayo olopon, and table tennis — vying for a total of 59 medals. The event aimed to identify and nurture talent at the grassroots level.

In his opening remarks, SUBEB Chairman Mr. Victor Olabimtan stated that the competition’s primary objective was to harness the potential of young learners by developing their cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills at an early age.

“Basic Education School Sport (BESS) is a foundational programme designed to sharpen the intellectual capacities of pupils, foster self-sustenance, and promote physical and mental growth,” Olabimtan said.

He emphasised that Ondo State, in line with directives from the National Council on Education (NCE), had set aside funds specifically for sports development in schools, which is already yielding positive outcomes. Ondo State notably emerged the overall winner of the maiden edition of the national BESS Games in 2024.

Olabimtan urged participants to view the competition as a learning experience and to strive to be role models both on and off the field. “Through sport, we instill values of discipline, teamwork, and fair play — attributes crucial for nation-building,” he added.

Representing UBEC’s Executive Secretary, Mrs Aisha Garba State Coordinator Mrs. Olanike Adams praised Ondo State’s dedication to basic education and sport development. She highlighted that many promising talents have been discovered through BESS and commended the state government for its consistent support.

“Education extends beyond the classroom. Sports provide a platform to build character, discipline, and essential life skills,” Bobboye noted.

She also acknowledged Ondo State’s strong performance at the previous national BESS competition, where it secured 33 medals, and expressed confidence that the state would excel again at the upcoming zonal edition  scheduled to be hosted in Lagos later this year.