Edo State tightened its grip on grassroots sports development at the weekend after emerging overall champions of the 2025 South-South Basic Education School Sports Games (BESS), a victory that reinforced new political and policy momentum around youth development, unity and education reform in Southern Nigeria.
The week-long championship, hosted in Edo State, brought together primary school pupils from across the South-South geopolitical zone in a showcase of raw talent, discipline and regional solidarity. Edo topped the medals table with 17 gold, 10 silver and 9 bronze medals, finishing ahead of Delta State, which placed second with 6 gold, 10 silver and 5 bronze medals. Akwa Ibom secured third position with 6 gold, 7 silver and 6 bronze medals, while Bayelsa came fourth with 2 gold, 6 silver and 2 bronze medals.
The closing ceremony attracted senior government officials and education stakeholders, underscoring the political importance now attached to basic education sports. Among the dignitaries were the Executive Chairman of Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Hon. Ebanehita Sonia Omonzane; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs Edith Ebomuonyin, representing the Commissioner for Education, Dr Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu; the Executive Chairman of the Senior Secondary Education Board, Dr Rita Erewele; and the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Amadi Desmond Enabulele.
In her closing address, Hon. Omonzane described the tournament as more than a medal hunt, saying it had strengthened unity among states and deepened the role of sport in basic education. She thanked the organisers, the SUBEB planning committee, the Edo State Sports Commission and Governor Monday Okpebholo for what she described as unwavering political support.
Praising the pupils for their discipline and competitive spirit, she urged them to see the event as the foundation for future greatness, calling on young athletes to uphold sportsmanship as a tool for regional cohesion and personal development.
Education policymakers say the success of Edo BESS 2025 could accelerate plans to mainstream structured sports into basic education curricula across the South-South, with pressure mounting on State governments to invest more in school facilities, coaching and talent identification at an earlier age.
Edo SUBEB reaffirmed its commitment to sustained youth development through sport, signalling that future editions of the games will be expanded and better funded.
As the curtains fell on the tournament, one message rang clear across the Southern Nigeria: Edo’s victory was not just about medals, but about laying a stronger foundation for unity, discipline and national progress, one pupil at a time.
Get a premium automobile insurance coverage for your vehicle for as low as #15000 only and claim up to #3,000,000 in damages @Zenith Insurance To signup: WhatsApp/Call: +2349028313757
