School sports need urgent attention, says Prof Odeneye

Parents have been encouraged to allow their wards engage in sporting activities so as to showcase their talents.

Speaking at the Laurella International Group of Schools 4th Inter-House sports Competition at the Obafemi Awolowo stadium, Ibadan on Thursday, Vice Chancellor, Lead City University, who was also Chairman of the event, Professor K.A. Adeyemo said both government and corporate bodies need to do more for sports development.

Adeyemo, who was represented by Dean Faculty of Arts and Education, Lead City University, Ibadan and former President, Nigeria Fencing Federation, Professor Abidemi Odeneye stated that the school authorities also need to provide all the requisite facilities to their wards in order to get best out of them.

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He said “There was a season when we got School Sports right and I will tell you to the great extent that we are trying to come back but it will take more than just the government, it’s going to be schools, parents because when you see any top stars anywhere, I will give you the example of my daughter, she became the fastest swimmer in Nigeria 2005-06 are represented Nigeria at All African Games in Algiers.

“It took not just a state, school but it took the parents because parents do much more in advanced country to make sure that their children excel in sports, when we talk about school sports, is important that the schools take it seriously and provide all the requisite facilities and that the government itself is willing to support in terms of organising more sports and making sure sports federations are working the way they are supposed to.

“The government can do so much and corporate bodies can also do a lot in supporting the school sports. Fan Milk of Nigeria played a vital role when I was raising my kids and other children for swimming. I believe they are much the same as others.

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“Sports is not a waste of time, we understand that everybody is intelligent, combining sports and academia is very possible.

“Here today we have a lot of promising athletes, I expect corporate bodies to be here and kit them because I get a lot during my days and that is what I enjoy.

Also, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the school, Mrs Ajibola Gold Ogunmefun lauded her pupils for the spirits of sportsmanship saying the parents had been supportive as they want the best for their children by giving them the best.

Ogunmefun said School Sports have come a long way, and the road ahead is still long just as she urged both the state and federal governments to do the needful to the sector.

Meanwhile, God’s Own House (Yellow) emerged the winner of the fiesta ahead of Adegunle House (Green) and Resonance House (Red) respectively while Adecom House (Blue) came fourth.