Pupils of Ondo State public primary schools will this week showcase their budding talents as the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) organizes a two-day competition in five sports.
The competition involving five sport zones of the state will test the budding skills of the youngsters in Track and Field, Scrabble, Chess, Ayo Olopon and Table Tennis.
According the Chairman, Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board, Rt Hon Victor Olabimtan, 130 pupils are expected from the sport zones, compromising all local governments of the state to compete for action on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 22 – 23 in Akure.
“No fewer than 130 pupils of public primary schools in Ondo State are expected in Akure, the State capital to participate in the 2024 edition of Basic Education School Sports competition, on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“The youngsters from the five sport zones of Akure, Owo, Akoko, Okitipupa and Ondo will slug it out in Track and Field, Chess, Scrabble, Ayo Olopon and Table Tennis at Aquinas College, Akure.
Chief Olabimtan pointed out that the event is one of the several moves embarked upon by the government of Lucky Aiyedatiwa to sniff out hidden talents from the grassroots and nurture them to stardom.
“Our governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has never hidden his love for sports and intentions of catching budding talents at very young ages hence the reason he has approved of the second Basic Education School Sports competition, the second time, in as many years.
“Once discovered before age 10, the newbies can be remodeled to represent Ondo State and Nigeria in future.”
Olabimtan added that the competition will also serve as part of the preparations for the National Basic Education School Sports (BESS) competition, scheduled for Abuja, next month.
Ondo State won the maiden South-West BESS competition held in Ado-Ekiti in January 2024 beating other five states who attended the tournament.