Sports
Sporting Activities, Veritable Tools For Societal Growth, Development, Says Kporharor
By Oguns Sammy
The Principal of Essi College ll, Warri in Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State, Chief Mrs Tina Brown Kporharor, has said sporting activities are veritable tools for speedy growth and development of the society.
Chief Mrs Kporharor stated this on Tuesday as the college marked its annual interhouse sports competition which took place in the school’s field.
The education expert said for the overall development of the child, sport activities are required, adding that apart from the fact that sports are interesting, they have turned immature boys and girls into exceptional men and women as they have helped them to keep fit, inculcate discipline, self esteem, confidence and team work.
She said: “Sports may often be considered nothing more than a silly game, but they have played a major role in our society. They have turned immature boys and girls into exceptional men and women.”
She therefore charged parents, government and other stakeholders in education industry to encourage children to engage in sports.
She added that “these qualities are reasons we encourage our students to take part in sports and not just focus only on academics.”
Considering the importance of sports in this regard, the Principal said the school lacks some sports equipment which include outdoor table tennis board, and kits, dicus and shot put, basketball, high jump facilities, gold, silver and bronze trophies and medals, public address system among others and appealed to the government, corporate organizations, non- governmental organizations and well meaning individuals for financial support in this regard.
Chief Mrs. Kporharor used the medium to thank the Executive Governor of the state, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for his support fir education in the state especially for giving a mandate and award of contract for the construction of new block of class rooms, science laboratory, corper’s lodge among others, which she said, when completed, would further enhance effective teaching and learning in the school.
She also thanked the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Hon. Michael Tidi(Ph.D) for his support in the area of education and who is at present supervising the on-going aforementioned projects in the school.
She also thanked Chief Bighoro Syvester(JP), who donated one trophy, fourteen gold, silver and bronze each making a total of forty two(42) for the success of the interhouse sports just as she thanked Chief Obioru and Sr Masoje who donated one trophy each to support the 2020 interhouse sports.
The education expert also commended the Chairman and Exco members of Ecosa for thier support and donation of additional drums to complement traditional dance performances just as she commended sports masters, house masters and mistresses, Vice Principal, entire staff and students for their assistance for the success of the programme.
In a brief interview, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers, (NUT) Warri South, Comrade Ikuejawa Ishmeal said sports are integral part of education, adding, if they not properly integrated into education, it would be difficult to catch the students when they are young.
He continued: “Sports are integral part of education, so, if the students are not properly brought up in this area, it would be difficult for them grow in this regard”.
While thanking the state government in the area of education, he charged the state government to encourage students to engage in sports by providing sports equipment among others for their full participatation.
The interhouse sports competition which featured four houses which are: Mowoe (Blue House), Erejuwa(Green House), Idesoh(Red House), Salubi(Yellow House), and additional newly created house by the Principal, known as White House saw Salubi( Yellow House) emerge first position with total of 211 points. This was closely followed by White House which emerged 2nd with 210 points, Idesoh(Red House), 3rd(200 points), Mowoe(Blue House) 4th and Ereguwa(Green House) 5th with 196 points and 165 points respectively.
Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of trophies to the winners amidst cheers.