Ouahigouya: The activities of the 2nd edition of the Secondary School Sports, Cultural and Artistic Competitions (COSCASS) reached their climax this Sunday in Ouahigouya, AIB observed. Competitors from participating regions who distinguished themselves in the category rankings received awards.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the closing ceremony of COSCASS 2026 was attended by members of the government, regional authorities, secondary education stakeholders, and competitors. At the start of the ceremony, students from the Charles Foyer private high school sang the victory anthem in the Moor© language.
Speaking at the event, Customs Captain Dialili Belem, the patron of this year's competition, suggested that true victory lies not in being first, but in giving one's best. He encouraged his prot©g©s to embrace resilience, selflessness, a fighting spirit, and courage. The sponsor concluded by thanking all the volunteers who contributed to the success of this 2nd edition, during which competitors were awarded prizes in each category.
In theater, the Nando region ranked first with an average score of 16.16, followed by the Oubri region with 14.83. In slam poetry, Martine Bastissons from the Nando region took first prize with an average score of 17, followed by W. Yves Kabor© from Nakamb©. In traditional dance, the Nazinon region dominated with an average score of 17.16, second only to the Kouls© region. In women's cycling, Sanata Tiendreb©ogo from the Nando region outclassed her opponents, followed by N. Alice Yameogo from the Kouls© region. In men's cycling, Abdoul Samadi Ou©draogo from Kouls© came in first, followed by Benjamin Bassane from Nando. In traditional women's wrestling, Edouarda Zoma from Nando came in first, followed by Latifa Belemtougri from Nakamb©, while in the men's competition, Francis Youl from Dj´r´ finished ahead of B. Celestin Naon from Bankui. In football, the team from the Goulmou region won the trophy, followed by the team from Oubri.
In his closing speech, the Minister of Secondary, Vocational and Technical Education, Moumini Zoungrana, paid a heartfelt tribute to the defense and security forces, stating, "If we are able to come together in peace, it is because men have decided that not a single square centimeter will be ceded. We organized this competition so that our children can talk to each other, get to know each other, and feel like family. We want the children of Ouahigouya, who are proud of their potatoes, to know that in the Tanounyan region, there is bandji, and in the Gouiriko region, chitoumou. In the Sahel, there is milk, and in Kaya, koura-koura," Professor Zoungrana affirmed.
The competitors were rewarded individually and as a team with prizes in kind and in cash. Certificates of recognition were also awarded to those who contributed to the success of this 2nd edition of the secondary school sports, cultural and artistic competitions.