Lagos govt introduces schools’ sports festival

As part of its commitment to providing holistic education, especially for primary and secondary school students, the Lagos State government has introduced a schools’ sports festival.

It held the maiden edition of the event on Wednesday at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) Sports Centre with finalists from across the six educational districts of the state, competing.

Grouped into three categories, Primary (U-12), Junior Secondary (U-15) and Senior Secondary\Technical College ( U-17), the students competed in a total of 16 games including field and track events (relay, high and long jump, 100, 200 and 400 metres, volleyball, Javelin, tug of war) as well as table and long tennis, chess and scrabble.

Also, the students with special needs including Modupe Cole and from some invited schools not owned by the state government such as Methodist Girl’s High School, Unilag International High School, and Queen’s College were also featured at the one-day event.

Speaking at the event, the state’s Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, highlighted the importance of sports in schools.

He said education is not only about academics, it is encompassing to developing a child as a total being–intellectually, physically, emotionally, and socially.

“Sports and physical education play a vital role in this process, and our schools’ sports festival is a platform designed to actualise this ideal.

“We believe that through sports, students develop essential life skills like teamwork, discipline, and perseverance and they also learn valuable lessons about hard work, dedication, and fair play.

“They also build their confidence, self-esteem, and physical fitness and forge lasting bonds with their peers, and creating memories that will stay with them for a lifetime,” he said.

Alli-Balogun pointed out that sporting activities have long been a source of entertainment, inspiration, and personal growth for millions of people around the world even as an increasing number of youths are making careers in sports.

He said, there are many professional athletes, coaches or trainers, sports managers, sports journalists, sports psychologists, sports marketing and sponsorship and so forth who are earning their living and also impacting society through various sporting activities.

“So, a career in sports can be a dream come true through this platform for those who are passionate about athletics and competition among our students.

“Though there may be challenges as applicable to other fields, the benefits of a career in sports, including personal fulfilment, variety, and opportunities for advancement, make it a rewarding and exciting profession to pursue.

“So, this sports festival is designed to promote these values and provide our students with a platform to showcase their talents, skills, and sportsmanship and it shall be held on a yearly basis,” he said.

The commissioner, however, commended all the participants and their teachers and coach, urging them to take sports more seriously and also be committed to their studies.

In his own remark, the Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry for Tertiary Education, Mr Adeniran Kasali, promised that the state government would continue to promote sports and other extracurricular activities in both the public and private schools.

He observed that the ease is to produce total and fit-for-purpose students.

The high point of the event was the presentation of medals to winning students across the six districts and the invited schools.

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