Proprietress of Premier International School, Wuse 2, Abuja, Ruth Garba, has called on parents to encourage their children to participate in sports for moral and intellectual development.

Garba made the call over the weekend in Abuja during the school’s inter-house sports event.

She said that the call became necessary because most parents do not see sports as an important factor in their child’s development.

She said that the children needed to be encouraged so that they would show interest in sports and eventually grow up to like and participate in it.

“I want to urge the parents to encourage the students to participate more in sports.

“After this event, we will compile the list of the outstanding athletes and encourage the parents to support and promote them.

“This is to ensure that they show interest in sports from this stage of their life and they will grow up with it.

“The problem is that most parents don’t see sports as an important thing in our children’s lives, so with the awareness they will be encouraged,” Mrs Garba said.

The chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman said that the essence of sports in school curriculum was to among other things instil discipline in the children which invariably affects their daily life.

“The essence of sports for children in school is to give them opportunity to excel in whatever field they choose because it takes a disciplined person to do sports.

“And once you are disciplined in the sporting arena, you are expected to take that discipline to the outside world and in your everyday lives,’’ Abubakar said.

A JSS one student of the school, Zubaida Galadima, who won two medals at the event, said that she was encouraged to participate in sports by her parents.

She won gold medal in the 800 metres race and won silver medal in the 400 metres race.

“My parents have been giving me support to take part in sports although I will like to be a veterinary Doctor, but sports is one of my hobbies and I will proudly represent Nigeria if called upon in the nearest future,” Galadima said.

She said that the facilities in the school contributed to her performance, according to her, “I train every time whenever it is time for physical education in school.”

Another student of the school, Ahmed Alhassan in JSS 3, who won gold medals in the 100 metres and 200 metres race, attributed his success to the confidence given him by his coach.

“I feel happy and proud and I want to show appreciation to my coach, Mr Bolarinwa Babatunde, who gave me confidence to do what I did today because it was not easy at all,” he said.

The event, which is the second edition featured sports in march past, 100metres, 200metres, 400metres, 800metres, sack and relay race events.

The students were divided into six colours of houses with each house representing each of the Area Councils in the FCT.