Igali Leads Sports Delegation to Education Ministry to Kickstart Bayelsa’s Maiden Secondary Schools Scrabble Championship
The Honourable Commissioner for Sports Development, honourable Daniel Igali, on Tuesday led a high-powered delegation from the Ministry of Sports Development to the office of the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Dr. Emelah Gentle, to commence plans for the maiden edition of the Bayelsa State Secondary Schools Scrabble Championship in line with the directive of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State
The strategic meeting was focused on developing a practical roadmap for introducing scrabble into secondary schools across the state, in line with the Governor’s vision unveiled during the sixth edition of the Governor Diri National Scrabble Classics.
Both Ministries also discussed the introduction of chess alongside scrabble to broaden students’ intellectual development and strengthen critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Hon. Daniel Igali reaffirmed the Ministry of Sports Development’s commitment to partnering with the Ministry of Education to nurture young talents through intellectual sports, expressing confidence that Bayelsa will produce future national and international champions in scrabble and chess.
According to Igali, the programme will adopt a train-the-trainer approach to ensure its success, with coaches from the Bayelsa State Sports Council tasked with training selected teachers, who will subsequently prepare and mentor students ahead of the championship.
Igali maintained that, as is widely acknowledged, Bayelsa State has continued to distinguish itself in school sports, consistently winning laurels at state, national, and international competitions, a testament to the government’s sustained investment in grassroots sports development and talent nurturing.
“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.” Igali said
In his remarks, the commissioner for Education Dr. Gentle Emelah, thanked the Ministry of Sports Development led by Honourable Igali for the swift action to the Governor’s mandate, maintaining that Bayelsa has become a household name in Nigerian school sports through its outstanding performances in Secondary School Basketball Championship, adding that the consistent achievements have not only brought honour to Bayelsa State but have also reinforced its reputation as a breeding ground for young sporting talents.
“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,” Gentle added.
The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education,
Simon-Peter Okene, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Sports Development, Pereyi Efeke, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategic Communications, High Chief Abednego Don Evarada, the Director of Sports, Bayelsa State Sports Council, Bibowei Lambert, the Head of Sports Department, George Mark, and the Assistant Director Human Resources Management Ministry of Sports Development, Michael Alakere.
