By AMAKA ABAYOMI

The Minister of Sports, Dr. Tamuno Danagogo, has called on parents to encourage their wards to take active part in school sports.
Speaking recently at the maiden inter-house sports competition of Pacesetters Academy, Gwarinpa, Abuja, the minister, who was represented by an Assistant Director, National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Patrick Uwagbale, said physical education can be used to raise the self-esteem of young people and give them confidence as academic learning and sports education complement each other.

The Minister said: “The passion that drives you to compete and better yourself, the discipline that forces you to maintain a schedule and balance your life; the selflessness that epitomises being a great team player, the respect you develop for each other, team-mates, opponents and the games you play; the perspective and resilience you find by realising life goes on even after a big loss and that winning or losing is not only about the score in the game etc., are some of the benefits one derives.”

Danagogo, who doubles as the NSC Chairman said school sports is necessary to widen the talent pool and help young people lead a healthier lifestyle.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Pacesetters Group of Schools, Mr. Kenneth Imansuangbon, said sports should be made compulsory in the curriculum of schools in the country.

“Games and sports should be introduced compulsorily as part of the curriculum of education in schools at all levels across the country.
“Students’ participation should also be graded and evaluated at par with other subjects and adequate weightage should be given to participation in games and sports. This will encourage the culture of sports and broad-based games and sports.”

At the end of the competition, Abuja House emerged the overall winner with 63 points, while Imansuangbon and Johannesburg houses came second and third with 49 and 46 points respectively.
The students competed in marchpast, 100m and 200m races, needle race, sack race and 4x400m relay race, among others.