The 2025 Basic Education Schools Sports (BESS) Competition, organized by the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has come to a successful conclusion, showcasing impressive displays of talents, teamwork, resilience and determination among pupils from across the 25 local government areas of Delta State.
The over two-week-long sporting event, which began at the local government level and progressed through the senatorial districts, climaxed on Monday, October 27, 2025, at the Southern Delta University Stadium, Ozoro, Isoko North local government area.
It featured keen contests in football, Scrabble, table tennis, athletics (100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay), among others.
In the Football category, Pessu Primary School, Warri South, emerged champions after a thrilling final match encounter against Obioma Primary School, Obinomba, Ukwuani local government area.
In the Scrabble (board game), Benita Okwuezulu, representing Owessei Primary School in Ndokwa West LGA, clinched the female category title, while Wealth Ezegbue of Nana Primary School, Warri, won the male category.
The Table Tennis event saw Lucky Tejiri of Oreki Primary School in Ethiope West LGA, emerged as overall winner after a competitive series of the sporting event.
The Athletics segment produced thrilling races and impressive individual performances as Ibina Favour from Oshimili North claimed the top spot in the In the 100m female category, while Osiokor Simson from Ughelli North won the 100m male race.
In the 200m races, Ineh Happy from Sapele LGA emerged winner in the female category, and Kemute Favour from Ughelli South LGA clinched the male title.
The 4x100m relay event saw Isoko North LGA dominate both the male and female categories, earning well-deserved gold medals after outstanding teamwork on the track.
At the end of the competition, Sapele Local Government Area emerged overall winner, taking home two gold medals and other honors, while other LGAs also put up commendable performances across categories.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Delta SUBEB, Hon. Samuel Mariere, described the 2025 edition of the BESS Competition as “the first of its kind”, noting that it was carefully structured to identify and promote young sporting talents from the grassroots to the state level.
Mariere expressed profound gratitude to the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for his unwavering support and commitment to basic education and the development of young talents in Delta State.
“We are grateful to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the love he has for basic education and our pupils, inspiring them to become world champions,” he said.
The Subeb Boss disclosed that Delta State will represent Nigeria at the upcoming Under-15 Basic School Competition in Burkina Faso, adding that all the winners from the state-level event will also represent Delta at the National BESS Competition.
Hon Mariere, a two termed member of the Delta State Assembly and former Commissioner in the state, further encouraged pupils and stakeholders to take the sports activities seriously, describing the competition as “the beginning of their climb to greatness.”
“Those who won here today will represent Delta and effortlessly win all medals because our children are charged for it,” He confidently affirmed.
The event ended with fun-fare, cheers, applause, and a celebration of excellence as teachers, pupils, and education stakeholders hailed the initiative as a major step toward reviving grassroots sports and nurturing future champions from the basic education level.