Bauchi Gov opens 2nd edition of BESS Games, stresses importance of sports for unity

By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has declared the 2026 edition of Basic Education School Sports (BESS) Games opened inside the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Memorial Stadium in Bauchi with 20 out of the 36 States and FCT participating.

While declaring the Second edition of the Games opened, the Chief Host of the Games said that the event is an avenue towards the discovery and nurturing of young talents for future national and International competitions.

Bala Mohammed represented by the State Commissioner of Education, Dr Lawal Mohammed, said the selection of Bauchi as host for the games was not a coincidence considering the huge investment in education especially the basic sub sector.

He called on the officials and pupil athletes to exhibit the true spirit of sportsmanship, fairness, and excellence with deserving winners truly rewarded.

The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Hajiya Aisha Garba, said the Commission has reviewed the allocation for sports development from one to two percent of the entire annual matching grants.

Represented by the North-East Zonal Director, Alhaji Abdullahi Jarma, the UBEC ES, said that the BESS games was initiated not just as a competition but a platform to uncover and nurture young talents across the country.

She appreciated the Bauchi State government for being the first state to host the competition.

Also speaking seperstely, the Commissioners of Education, Dr Lawal Mohammed and that of Youths and Sports Babayo Gabarin acknowledged that educational Institutions remain the backbone to sustainable development.

They expressed confidence in the participants to exhibit the culture of sportsmanship, mutual understanding and lasting friendship.

In their separate goodwill messages, the President, National SUBEB Sports Officers Forum, NASSOF, Mr Ipede Joseph and the Permanent Commissioner Two Bauchi SUBEB, Alhaji Abdullahi Hardawa appreciated UBEC and all basic education stakeholders for developing grassroot sports across the country, encouraging the participants to compete with discipline, fairness and excellence nurtured in character and skills.

The participating States so far are Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.

The opening day football match between host, Bauchi and Abia ended in a goal apiece.