By Jude Opara

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Kids and Play over the weekend in Abuja demonstrated a rare commitment to grassroots sports development when it inaugurated a multimillion Naira sports facility at the Government Secondary School (GSS), Yangoji, Kwali Area Council of the FCT.

Known as ‘After School Initiative’, the programme has emphasis on catching the youths young and grooming them to become sports stars, achieve academic excellence and value hard work.

Speaking at the event, chairman of the Kids & Play, Mike Enahoro explained that the scheme is a Nigerian registered Non-Governmental Organization aimed at supporting child development through physical fitness and sport thereby complimenting academic component of education for the Nigerian child by providing opportunities for kids/students to be actively engaged in sports.

“Kids and Play is an avenue for children from all ethnic background, gender and social/income strata to be actively involved in sports recreation and training to boost their development process.  It also teaches key values such as: honesty, team work, fair play, respect for themselves as well as others and adherence to rules and regulations. “Our goal is discovering and mentoring young athletes and creating future champions out of them.”

Also speaking at the occasion, former minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Kabir Saminu Turaki said the programme has been tried and tested successfully for three years in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari and Kwali Area Councils. He further revealed that other centres to follow shortly are, Deidei, Gwagwalada and Karu.

Highlight of the occasion was a 4×100 relay race where the kids displayed their raw talents to the delight of the audience.