By Najib Sani, Gombe
Bauchi State has emerged overall winner of the second edition of the Basic Education School Sports (BESS) Games, clinching a total of 54 medals across various sporting events.
The host state of the 2025 edition secured first position with 19 gold, 21 silver and 14 bronze medals in competitions featuring both male and female categories.
Speaking during the closing ceremony held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, Governor Bala Mohammed appreciated the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for reposing confidence in the state to host the event, which brought together over 1,000 young athletes and officials from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Dr Lawal Muhammad Rimin Zayam, noted that the annual event would continue to unite young Nigerians from diverse cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds through sportsmanship, friendship and national integration.
In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, said the 10-day sporting activities showcased teamwork, discipline, talent, determination, sportsmanship and unity among young pupils across the country.
Garba, who was represented by a Zonal Officer, Abdullahi Shehu Jarma, thanked the Bauchi State Government, the National SUBEB Sports Officers Forum (NASSOF), SUBEB chairmen and other stakeholders for their support towards the development of school sports, stressing that such events would continue to nurture future champions and responsible citizens.
She called on schools across the federation to embrace sports as an essential component of education to build healthier, more united and brighter children in society.
Also speaking, the President of NASSOF, Mr Ipede Joseph, commended the Bauchi State Government, SUBEB and participating states for the successful hosting of the 2025 BESS Games.
According to the final medals table, Bauchi State finished first with 54 medals, followed by Delta State with 53 medals, while Kaduna State came third with 23 medals.
The organisers also announced Delta State as the host of the next edition.
