The Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) 2022–2023 Basic Education School Sports (BESS) State Finals, has ended at the Umuahia Township Stadium amidst fanfare with winners smiling home with trophies and presents.
The event which featured competitions in football, athletics, cultural dance, a match past parade, and other sporting activities witnessed the presentation of Medals and awards to first, second, and third place winners, as well as best players and best teams across all competitions.
Speaking during the closing ceremonies, organised by ASUBEB in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and themed “Building Champions Through Grassroots Sports”, the Executive Chairman of ASUBEB, Lady Ezihe Lydia Onuoha, reaffirmed the commitment of the agency to holistic education and youth development.
Lady Onuoha who described school sports as a deliberate investment in the future and a strategic platform for nurturing talents emphasised the pivotal role of sports in quality education, pointing out that they go beyond extracurricular engagement.
“Sports are not an optional addition to education; they are an essential component of a quality learning experience.
“Today’s event provides a powerful platform for identifying future champions while instilling values of perseverance, fairness, leadership, discipline, and excellence in our young learners,” she noted.
The ASUBEB Boss made it clear that the BESS initiative aligns seamlessly with the AbiaFIRST Agenda of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, whose administration has repositioned education as a critical pillar of sustainable development in the state.
“Under Governor Otti’s visionary leadership, education is about producing well-rounded, confident, skilled, and competitive citizens. BESS perfectly complements this education transformation drive by promoting inclusiveness, innovation, and holistic child development through grassroots sports,” Lady Onuoha stated.
She reiterated the desire of ASUBEB to revitalising school sports as a tool for early talent discovery, youth engagement, and social inclusion, stressing that the Board is repositioning basic education to produce learners who are mentally sound, physically fit, socially responsible, and globally competitive.
Lady Onuoha commended UBEC for its sustained support and partnership, and appreciated ASUBEB Board members, Education Secretaries, Head Teachers, coaches, organisers, and the Director of Special Programmes, ASUBEB, for their dedication to the success of the programme.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, represented by the Director of Basic Education, Mr Sampson Nnaemeka, applauded Governor Alex Otti for his education reforms and commended Lady Onuoha for her outstanding leadership and performance.
In her welcome address, the Director of Special Programmes, ASUBEB, Mrs Oyiri Sunday Udeogu, appreciated the education-friendly Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, for facilitating the payment of the UBE Matching Grant and the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, as well as the Executive Chairman of ASUBEB for their consistent support and promotion of sports within the basic education system.
She explained that the BESS programme commenced in June with inter-house, inter-school, local government, and zonal competitions, culminating in the state finals.
