Bayelsa Introduces Scrabble and Chess in Schools

Bayelsa State is initiating the introduction of scrabble and chess into its secondary schools, spearheaded by the Commissioner for Sports Development, Daniel Igali. This initiative follows a directive from Governor Douye Diri, announced during the sixth edition of the Governor Diri National Scrabble Classics.

A meeting was held between Igali and the Commissioner for Education, Emelah Gentle, to develop a roadmap for the state's inaugural Secondary Schools Scrabble Championship and to discuss the introduction of chess to enhance students' intellectual development. Igali emphasized the ministry's commitment to nurturing young talent through intellectual sports, expressing confidence that Bayelsa will produce future national and international champions.

The program will utilize a train-the-trainer approach, where coaches from the Bayelsa State Sports Council will train selected teachers to prepare students for the championship. Gentle praised the swift response of the Ministry of Sports Development, noting Bayelsa's reputation in Nigerian school sports, particularly in basketball.