NAN-S-1
Recreation
Edidi (Kwara), Feb. 10, 2017 (NAN) A Physical Education expert, Mr Olafimihan Emmanuel, has identified inadequate recreation centres in most communities as one of the major factors hindering sports development at the grassroots.
Emmanuel, a lecturer with the College of Education, Oro in Kwara, made this assertion at the annual Inter-House Sports Competition by Victory Comprehensive College, Edidi in Isin Local Government Area.
He spoke on: “Promoting/Improving Health and Fitness of the Youths through Exercise and Sports’’.
Emmanuel, also Head of Department, Physical and Health Education in the college, said that recreation centres equipped with modern sporting facilities, would enhance active youth participation in sporting activities at the grassroots.
He decried the concentration of sporting activities and facilities in the state capitals and urban cities.
Emmanuel said that this could hinder the government’s efforts aimed at resuscitating sports in all the communities.
The educationist urged local government administrators in the country to be more proactive in their responsibilities by channelling adequate resources to sports development.
Emmanuel said that engaging in physical routine exercise would help to promote emotional health, physical fitness and increase general vitality.
He urged both the old and young people to engage in sporting activities or exercise like running, walking, jogging, cycling and swimming to guide against life threatening diseases.
Also, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Adeniyi, the Education Secretary, Isin Local Government Education Authority, urged parents to always encourage their wards to participate actively in sporting activities.
Adeniyi expressed the council’s readiness to continue to promote and facilitate the enabling environment that would enhance sports development in schools.
In his remarks, Mr Abiodun Oyedepo, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers in the council area, urged school authorities to ensure sustenance of inter-house sports competition.
The Principal, Victory Comprehensive College, Deaconess Deborah Amao, described sports as a unifying factor that promotes tolerance and peaceful co-existence among the people.
Amao said that there was need for every student to be actively involved in sporting activities alongside their academic pursuit to maintain healthy minds. (NAN)
ISHO/GOM/GOK
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Olagoke Olatoye
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