Bayelsa State’s duo of Bishop Dimieari Grammar School and St Jude’s Girls Secondary School Amarata will represent Nigeria at the 2022 World School Basketball Championship taking place in Belgrade, Serbia.
This would be the first time Nigeria will be participating in the global championship and the two schools are the only African teams among the other countries.
The two teams emerged champions at the 2022 Milo National Secondary School Championships and they are expected to compete against their counterparts from Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, France, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Nepal, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia, Chinese Taipei and Turkey in the boys and girls events organized by the International School Sports Federation (ISF) and hosted by the Serbian School Sport Federation.
The Nigerian contingent is led to the tournament that kicks off today by the First Lady of Bayelsa State, Dr. Mrs. Gloria Ebibomo Diri along with the President of the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF), Mrs. Olabisi Joseph.
NSSF President lauded the support of the Bayelsa State government in ensuring that the students are exposed to international competitions while urging other states to emulate the gesture.
Joseph, however, praised the sponsor of the annual Milo National Secondary School Championships, Nestle Nigeria Plc for their commitment to the competition as well as for providing the platform for the students to showcase their talents.
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In his remarks, the Commissioner for Education in Bayelsa, Gentle Emelah specifically praised the sports-loving Governor Douye Diri for his interest in sports while promising that the team would make the country and the state proud in Serbia.
The captains of the teams, Idubamo Pius Beggi and Samuel Talents vowed to replicate their feat in Nigeria on the international stage while promising to be good ambassadors.
For the Category Manager, Beverages of Nestle Nigeria Plc, Tayo Olatunji, the decision by the Bayelsa government to sponsor the students is in line with the ideals of the annual tournament which was to produce future champions.
Meanwhile, the boys’ team has been drawn in Group A alongside Turkey, Hungary, and Chinese Taipei while the girls’ team is in group D with Turkey, Chile, and Bulgaria. The tournament ends on September 28.