Bayelsa State’s Commissioner for Education, Honourable Gentle Emelah, has hailed the spirited performance of Bishop Dimeari Grammar School (BDGS) at the just-concluded Nestlé Milo Secondary Schools National Basketball Championships in Lagos.
In a breathtaking final that had fans on the edge of their seats, BDGS narrowly missed out on the top spot, falling 66–64 to Father O’Connell Science College of Niger State. Despite the heartbreaker, Honourable Gentle applauded the team’s determination and resilience, describing their effort as a proud moment for Governor Douye Diri and the entire Bayelsa populace.
“This result, while tough, is a vital part of the learning curve for our young athletes. It teaches them not just how to win, but also how to rise stronger after a loss,” he remarked, emphasizing the role of sports in holistic youth development.
In the same vein, Honourable Gentle extended his heartfelt support to St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, who narrowly missed a podium finish after a 49–45 loss to Government Secondary School, Yola, in the third-place playoff.
He commended the unwavering dedication of school sports coordinators, led by Godwin Adagbo, and the passionate coaches of both schools for nurturing young talent and instilling in them the values of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.
Honourable Gentle also lauded the transformative ASSURED vision of Governor Diri and his deputy, crediting their commitment to grassroots sports as a key driver in discovering and developing young talent across the state.
“With what we are witnessing today, I believe Bayelsa school sports is on a trajectory to becoming a national benchmark, if not a global reference,” he affirmed.
