The Lagos State Government has flagged off the 2025 edition of the South-West Basic Education Schools Sports (BESS) Competition, reaffirming its commitment to youth development through grassroots sports.
The announcement was made during the week at a press conference held at the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) Head Office in Maryland.
Speaking at the event, LASUBEB Chairman, Hakeem Babatunde Shittu, described the BESS competition as a collaborative initiative involving the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), and the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF).
“We are honoured to host athletes and officials from the six South-West states: Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo,” Shittu said.
“Over 370 pupils will take part in football, athletics, and board games. This event is more than just a sports competition; it is a platform to discover young talent, instil discipline and teamwork, and promote healthy competition across the region.”
Shittu revealed that although the competition currently includes only public schools, UBEC is working on plans to incorporate private schools soon.
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He also assured that LASUBEB had provided adequate accommodation and security to ensure the safety and comfort of all participants.
He lauded the partnership between UBEC, SUBEBs, and NSSF as a collective effort to groom well-rounded learners.
He added that Lagos is proud to host the event for the second time, noting the state’s strong record of sporting excellence at the local, national, and international levels.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, also addressed attendees, highlighting the crucial role of sports in child development.
“Sports play a vital role in shaping the mental, physical, emotional, and social well-being of our pupils,” he said.
“Lagos State has embedded physical and health education into the school curriculum as a core subject to ensure sports are no longer seen as extracurricular but an essential part of education.”
He urged participating pupils to approach the competition with a spirit of sportsmanship and to embrace values such as teamwork, discipline, fairness, and excellence.
Both Shittu and Alli-Balogun expressed appreciation to Sports Desk Officers, UBEC officials, and stakeholders from across the South-West for their dedication to grassroots sports development.
The week-long competition will kick off with football and board game preliminaries at CMS Grammar School, Bariga, on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 June.
Track and field events will follow at Agege Stadium on Wednesday, 18 June, while the grand finale, including the football final, will be held at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Ground on Thursday, 19 June 2025.
