The Bayelsa State Government has commenced plans to introduce scrabble and chess into secondary schools as part of efforts to promote intellectual sports and develop students’ critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
To kick-start the initiative, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Daniel Igali, led a delegation from the Ministry of Sports Development to the Ministry of Education to begin preparations for the state’s inaugural Secondary Schools Scrabble Championship.
The programme follows a directive by Governor Douye Diri, who announced the initiative during the sixth edition of the Governor Diri National Scrabble Classics.
During the meeting, officials from both ministries discussed a framework for implementing scrabble in secondary schools across the state. They also considered introducing chess as a complementary intellectual sport to enhance students’ cognitive development.
Igali said the Ministry of Sports Development was committed to working closely with the Ministry of Education to identify and nurture young talents capable of competing at national and international levels in both scrabble and chess.
He explained that the programme would adopt a train-the-trainer model, with coaches from the Bayelsa State Sports Council providing training for selected teachers, who would subsequently prepare and mentor students ahead of the championship.
According to the commissioner, the meeting was aimed at developing a practical roadmap to ensure the effective implementation of the governor’s directive.
He expressed optimism that the initiative would help produce future national and international champions while expanding opportunities for students to excel in intellectual sports.
Commissioner for Education, Gentle Emelah, praised the Ministry of Sports Development for its prompt action in implementing the governor’s directive.
He noted that Bayelsa had already established itself as a leading force in school sports through its impressive performances at the Secondary School Basketball Championship and said the new initiative would further enhance the state’s reputation for nurturing 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; 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 the Sports Department, George Mark; and the Assistant Director of Human Resources Management in the Ministry of Sports Development, Michael Alakere.
