‘Make Sports Compulsory In Rivers Schools’

The Rivers State Ministry of Education has been urged to come up with a legislation or policy aimed  at making sports activities compulsory in both private and public schools in the state.

A former supervisor for Youth Development and Sports in the Port Harcourt City Local Government   Area, Eric Ejigini who made the call in an interview with The Tide said the step would enhance proper development of abundant talents in the state.

Ejigini who regetted that so much sports potentials were being wasted in the country called on the local government councils to build mini sports stadium in their council Headquarters  to encourage grassroot sports participation in the state.

He lauded the initiative of Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi in developing Igbo Ukwu field in D-line as well as number five and six field in the old Port Harcourt Township.

He said that private schools that do not have sports facilities like field could take advantage of the field nearest to them to host their sports events like training, competitions, like inter house and Inter school sports competition.

“Private schools within the town axis can make use of the fields for training and competitions while those in D-line and Diobu axis can  make use of the one in D-line while Schools in Rumukalagbo and Aba road can make use of St John among other.

He challenged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to draw up programmes on sports development in the region for the interest of Niger Delta youths.

He frowned at what he described as ‘I don’t care’ attitude of the commission in the area of sports saying it was not in the good interest of the region which he said is not only rich in oil and gas but also in sports.

One had expected that by now, the NDDC would be organising competitions in the region or sponsoring its own athletes or even having its own team but the commission appears not to be alive to its responsibility in sports.

Chris Oluoh