Bayelsa moves to begin scrabble, chess in schools

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Bayelsa State has begun moves to introduce scrabble and chess into its secondary schools, with the Commissioner for Sports Development, Daniel Igali, leading a delegation from the Ministry of Sports Development to the Ministry of Education to commence planning for the state’s maiden Secondary Schools Scrabble Championship.

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The initiative follows a directive from Governor Douye Diri, who unveiled the plan during the sixth edition of the Governor Diri National Scrabble Classics. The meeting with the Commissioner for Education, Emelah Gentle, focused on developing a practical roadmap for rolling out scrabble across secondary schools in the state, while both ministries also discussed introducing chess alongside it to broaden students’ intellectual development and strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

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Igali reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to partnering with the Ministry of Education to nurture young talent through intellectual sports, expressing confidence that Bayelsa will produce future national and international champions in both disciplines.

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He explained that the programme will adopt a train-the-trainer approach, with coaches from the Bayelsa State Sports Council training selected teachers, who will in turn prepare and mentor students ahead of the championship.

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“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,” Igali said.

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“We believe that introducing scrabble in our schools will produce more national and international champions.”

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Gentle commended the Ministry of Sports Development for its swift response to the governor’s mandate, noting that Bayelsa has become a household name in Nigerian school sports through its performances in the Secondary School Basketball Championship.

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“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 said.

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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; the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategic Communications, High Chief Abednego Don Evarada; 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.

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