The Universal Basic Education Commission’s (UBEC) renewed vision to revive grassroots sports recorded a spectacular success in Yola last week, proving the strength of its national strategy. The North-East Basic Education School Sports (BESS) Competition, held from August 25th to 31st, gathered young athletes from six states in a vibrant display of skill, discipline, and sportsmanship.
The tournament, a key part of UBEC’s initiative to promote basic education sports, was hosted by Adamawa State and produced a historic result. Adamawa achieved a clean sweep of every gold medal, a feat described as unprecedented in the history of the games. This outcome is being celebrated as a strong example of what can be achieved when UBEC’s funding and policies for sports development are fully embraced at the state level.
Officials at the event attributed the remarkable outcome directly to UBEC’s intervention. ADSUBEB Executive Chairman, Dr. Murtala Umar Babayi, praised the leadership of the Commission, stating, “This success is due to the unwavering support from the Aisha Garba-led UBEC Management.” He explained that UBEC’s commitment and resources had been the driving force behind the competition’s success, ensuring that young people in the North-East were provided a platform to showcase their abilities.
The games featured intense contests among pupils from Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe, and Taraba states. Beyond the victories, the event reinforced UBEC’s broader mission of discovering raw talent, building discipline, and fostering unity among young Nigerians. Leaders and education stakeholders at the tournament highlighted how the competition reflects UBEC’s blueprint for developing Nigeria’s future champions through grassroots sports and education.
The golden triumph in Adamawa is being seen as more than a regional victory. It represents a validation of UBEC’s long-term vision and an inspiring model for the entire country. The event has set the stage for the national finals, where the North-East will be represented by its finest young athletes, further proving that investment in basic education and sports is shaping Nigeria’s next generation of leaders.