Sports Development Commissioner Daniel Igali on Tuesday led a delegation to the Ministry of Education to begin plans for Bayelsa State’s maiden Secondary Schools Scrabble Championship, directed by Governor Douye Diri.
The meeting with Education Commissioner Emelah Gentle focused on introducing scrabble – and chess – into secondary schools across the state, following a vision Diri outlined at the sixth Governor Diri National Scrabble Classics.
Igali said the programme will use a train-the-trainer model, with coaches from the Bayelsa State Sports Council training teachers who will then mentor students ahead of the championship.
‘Today’s meeting is about developing a clear blueprint for the seamless implementation of His Excellency’s directive,’ Igali said. ‘We believe that introducing scrabble in our schools will produce more national and international champions.’
Gentle commended the sports ministry’s swift response to the governor’s directive, citing Bayelsa’s record in school sports, including its Secondary School Basketball Championship performances, as evidence the state can replicate that success in scrabble and chess.
Also present were Permanent Secretaries Simon-Peter Okene (Education) and Pereyi Efeke (Sports Development), Technical Adviser to the Governor Abednego Don Evarada, Sports Council Director Bibowei Lambert, Head of Sports Department George Mark, and Assistant Director Michael Alakere.