By Eddie Akalonu

Plans have been concluded to give school children in the Owerri zone of Imo State an opportunity of participating in organised sports competition, starting this December.

Known as the 1st Owerrri Mayoral Games, it will involve pupils of primary schools and those of Junior secondary schools. Mayor of Owerri, Dr. Kachi Nworga who disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Saturday Vanguard sports, said, git is billed to be a sports festival for children in primary schools and, if possible, Junior Secondary Schools in the whole of Owerri zone. It is an avenue to make it possible for a child to specialise in one game or the other.  Activity chart for the Games shows that the pupils are to compete from December through the whole school calendar to the 2014 long vacation period when it is expected to be concluded.

The Mayor who said that athletics, 5-Aside football, table tennis and handball for this maiden edtion added that, like to encourage pupils to take to any of the track and field events, table tennis and any team sport of choice, including football and handball.

Dr. Nworga added that with the coming of the Mayoral Games in the zone, we will be pushing for sports to be made compulsory in schools not only in Owerri but also in the whole of the state given overall benefits there are for children.