ZSUBEB flags off final of 2026 basic education sports competition in Zamfara

The Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board, (ZSUBEB), has officially flagged off the State Finals of the 2026 Basic Education School Sports (BESS) competition, with a call for discipline, teamwork, and excellence among participating pupils.

The week long finals held at the Zamfara College of Art and Science, ZACAS, in Gusau Saturday.

The theme of the programme was, “Promoting Talent, Building Character, Strengthening the Future” and the sub-theme is “Together for Quality Basic Education and Youth Development.”

The competition drew top athletes from across the 14 local government areas of the state.

In his remarks, the state chairman of ZSUBEB, Prof. Nasiru Garba Anka, said students from basic education schools will compete in four events which include, football, handball, volleyball and table tennis.

Prof Anka said the selection of the four disciplines was aimed at encouraging all round physical development, gender inclusion, and mass participation at the grassroots level.

He noted that the competition is not only about winning medals but about instilling core values of sportsmanship in young learners.

The State Chairman of ZSUBEB, Prof. Nasiru Garba Anka, described the initiative by the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, headquarters as a yardstick in promoting talent among students at the basic education level.

According to Prof. Anka, the BESS competition provides a structured platform to discover, nurture, and showcase sporting talents early, while also reinforcing the UBEC mandate of delivering quality basic education.

“This initiative by UBEC headquarters is a yardstick in promoting talent among our students. Beyond the classroom, sports build character, unity, and resilience”.

“It teaches our pupils discipline, teamwork, and excellence which are the pillars we want for the future of Zamfara and Nigeria,” he said.

He commended school heads, teachers, coaches, and parents for their support in preparing the pupils for the state finals, and urged participants to compete with fairness and maintain the spirit of unity.

According to him, the 2026 edition is part of broader efforts to align sports with education policy in the state.

The board emphasised that physical education remains critical to cognitive development, health, and reducing dropout rates in basic schools.

Spectators, including education stakeholders, traditional rulers, and parents, were in attendance at the ZACAS playground to cheer the young athletes.

The board added that winners at the state finals will represent Zamfara State at the upcoming national BESS competition organized by UBEC in Kaduna.

The 2026 BESS State Finals are expected to run through the week with finals in all four disciplines slated for the weekend.