Bayelsa State has commenced plans to introduce scrabble and chess into its secondary schools as part of efforts to develop students’ intellectual abilities and discover future champions.
The initiative followed a directive by Governor Douye Diri and was kick-started with a meeting between officials of the Ministry of Sports Development and the Ministry of Education to map out plans for the state’s maiden Secondary Schools Scrabble Championship.
The delegation to the Ministry of Education was led by the Commissioner for Sports Development, Daniel Igali, while the Commissioner for Education, Emelah Gentle, received the team.
Beyond the proposed scrabble championship, both ministries also discussed introducing chess into secondary schools to strengthen critical thinking, problem-solving and other intellectual skills among students.
Igali reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Sports Development to working closely with the education ministry to nurture young talents through intellectual sports.
He explained that the programme would adopt a train-the-trainer model, with coaches from the Bayelsa State Sports Council training selected teachers, who would in turn mentor students ahead of the championship.
He said: “Today’s meeting is about developing a clear blueprint for the seamless implementation of His Excellency’s directive.
“The collaboration establishes a comprehensive roadmap that guarantees the smooth execution of that mandate.
“We believe that introducing scrabble in our schools will produce more national and international champions.”
Gentle commended the Ministry of Sports Development for swiftly implementing the governor’s directive, describing the initiative as another milestone for school sports development in the state.
He said: “I commend the Ministry of Sports Development under the leadership of Honourable Igali for its swift response to the Governor’s mandate.
“Bayelsa has become a household name in Nigerian school sports, and this initiative will further strengthen our reputation for producing outstanding young talents.”
The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Simon-Peter Okene; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports Development, Pereyi Efeke; and the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategic Communications, High Chief Abednego Don Evarada.
Also present were the Director of Sports at the Bayelsa State Sports Council, Bibowei Lambert; the Head of Sports Department, George Mark; and the Assistant Director of Human Resources Management at the Ministry of Sports Development, Michael Alakere.
