Group Plans Sports Festival For Almajiris, Orphans

Plans are underway to host the maiden sports festival for Almajiris, orphans and vulnerable children in the country.

The organiser of the festival and founder, Challenged Children Charity Foundation (3CF) Mrs Ugonna Kalu, told newsmen  last week in Abuja that the event “is aimed at empowering less privileged children through sports’’.

Kalu said trophies and prizes would be won at the festival, which is scheduled to take place in the country’s six geopolitical zones and Abuja, between November 16 and November 29.

She identified football, athletics, basketball, volleyball and table tennis as the five major sporting events that would be competed for at the festival tagged: “Orphanage Homes Sports Festival Nigeria, 2013’’.

“If less privileged children are empowered through education and sports, the society will be rid of urchins, hoodlums, armed bandits, child soldiers and terrorists.

“It is with the aim of exposing the potentials which Almajiris and orphans possess that 3CF is organising the festival.

The event is also designed as grassroots sports activity to give Almajiris, orphans and vulnerable children a sense of pride, dignity and hope for a brighter future,’’ Kalu said.

A member of the group, Mr Tom Nnakwe,  said they were collaborating with the National Sports Commission, FCT Sports Council, Nigeria Football Association, Ministry of Women Affairs and various sports federations, to actualise the festival.

Nnakwe, however, said the group was constrained by lack of funds, and urged well meaning philanthropists and organisations to make the festival eventful “to provide succour to the less privileged children in the country’’.