Ebonyi to reintroduce competitive sports at basic education level
NAN-S -5
Sports
By Douglas Okoro
Abakaliki, May 23, 2017 (NAN) Chief Hyacinth Ikpo, the Chairman, Ebonyi Universal Basic Education Board, says the commission will soon reintroduce competitive sports as a compulsory extra-curriculum activity at the basic education level.
Ikpo spoke on Tuesday in Abakaliki in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said the aim was to ensure the overall development of the child in terms of education, morals, spiritual and social upbringing.
Ikpo reiterated that sports development would assist the authorities to uncover hidden talents among school children in primary and junior secondary schools.
He said that many world celebrated sports superstars were discovered at very early age.
“The role of sports in instilling discipline and moral rectitude in the child cannot be overemphasized.
“Sports can be used to fight social vices, including cultism, drug abuse, prostitution, among others, and to boost the state’s revenue.
“The reintroduction of school sports will enable the authorities as well as talent hunters uncover hidden talents among school children and assist them to develop their potential.
“School sports will become part of the compulsory extra curriculum activities, which every school child at basic education level must participate in.
“The initiative is to give credence to the old saying that all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.
“Sport is part and parcel of learning and we must emphasize its importance in the overall development of the school child,” Ikpo said.
He said that sports such as inter-house and inter-schools games’ competitions would be revived while sports instructors would be trained to oversee its development.
Ikpo added that Ebonyi had performed well at both national and international educational competitions.
“The state has won many laurels in national and international quiz, debate and mathematics competitions.
“The reintroduction of sports will not only complement the achievements and successes recorded in the academic field, but will also showcase the state as being rich in sporting talents,” he added. (NAN)
ODO / JI/OU
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Editing by Joseph Idika/Obike Ukoh
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