NAN-S-5
Seminary
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Ezzamgbo (Ebonyi State), Nov.13, 2016 (NAN) The St. Augustine Catholic Seminary, Ezzamgbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi
had initiated a N500-million indoor sports hall project.
The Rector of the seminary, Rev. Fr Donatus Ofuluozor, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Ezzamgbo, Ebonyi State on Sunday, on the sidelines of the seminary’s 2016 Inter-House Sports Competition/Parents Day celebration at the seminary premises that the project commenced in 2012.
He said “the indoor sports hall, designed to be of international standard and has attained roofing level, will be used for multiple indoor sporting events such as basketball, volley ball, tennis, wrestling, among others.
“We have invested heavily in the project and will need about N20 million to make it attain international standard.”
The rector said that the project was a landmark in the country as only few schools could boast of embarking on such monumental project.
He added that “we invest heavily in sports in realisation that it is a vital part of human development and enhances the physical and mental well-being of our students.
“Our massive investment in sporting facilities and competitions have unearthed the hidden talents in our students which made us win the Milo Nestle Basketball competition on several occasions.
“We invested in the project without government support.”
On the inter-house competition, Ofuluozor said the event was organised bi-annually to celebrate with parents and showcase the sporting talents of
the students.
“This year’s event is joyous because we are celebrating 58 years of the school’s existence which makes it imperative to give thanks to God,” he said.
Chief Nicodemus Omenka, former Ebonyi Commissioner for Youths and Sports, said that the state government would assist the institution in completing the project.
Omenka, who is the Secretary of the State Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), added that government would evaluate the situation and decide on modalities for the assistance.
“We are impressed with the emphasis the school places on sports development which made it attain several sporting feats and become worthy ambassador of the state.
“The state government also places much emphasis on sports development which necessitated its infusion in the school curricular of the education sector,” he said.
Mr Cajetan Iloh, the Chairman of the seminary’s Parent/Teachers Association (PTA) hailed the institution for its sports development policies and pledged the parents’ continued assistance.
Iloh, a Lecturer at the Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki, said that the array of sporting events on display was a testimony of the schools’ feat in sports.
“The school mandated that we should not contribute toward the construction of its indoor sports hall but as responsible parents, we tasked ourselves during events such as this to offer our assistance,” he said.
Sporting events on display at the occasion included finals of several athletics, sack race, football match between junior secondary school students and teachers, among others.
The overall best participating team event was won by St. Joseph hostel as prices were awarded to winners of various categories of events. (NAN)
RCO/HA
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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu