Bauchi emerges champion of 2025 BESS tournament,Delta named next host
By Ahmed Ahmed
The Bauchi State has emerged overall winner of the second edition of the Basic Education School Sports (BESS) Competition, clinching a total of 54 medals across various sporting events, The final medals table showed Bauchi in first position with 19 gold, 21 silver and 14 bronze medals, narrowly ahead of Delta State, which finished second with 53 medals, while Kaduna State placed third with 23 medals.
National President of the Nigeria Association of SUBEB Sport Officers Forum (NASSOF), Mr. Ipede Joseph, announced the outcome during the closing ceremony of the 2025 games held on Wednesday in Bauchi.
He also confirmed that Delta State had secured the hosting rights for the next edition of the BESS competition.Joseph commended the Bauchi State Government, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and participating states for the successful organisation of the 10-day sporting event, which featured young athletes from across the federation.
He pointed out that the BESS competition is designed to discover young talents while strengthening cohesion and character development through sports participation at the foundational level of Nigeria’s education system.
Gov.Bala Mohammed, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Lawal Rimin Zayam, expressed appreciation to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for entrusting Bauchi with the hosting responsibility.
He noted that the competition brought together more than 1,000 athletes and officials from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, promoting unity, friendship and national integration among Nigerian children.
In her remarks, UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, represented by Zonal Director Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu Jarma, said the tournament highlighted teamwork, discipline, talent and sportsmanship among pupils nationwide.
She thanked stakeholders for supporting the growth of school sports and emphasised the importance of integrating sporting activities into basic education to nurture healthier, more responsible and united future citizens.
Bauchi Tops BESS Games with 54 Medals as Delta Secures Next Hosting RightsBauchi Clinches Overall Victory at School Sports Competition, Delta to Host Third Edition
