Sports, Critical In Child’s Dev – Principal

S

ports have been identi
fied as a necessary instrument for the intellectual, moral and physical growth and a veritable tool in the development of children, especially in Primary and Secondary school levels.

The Principal of Stella Maris College, Harbour Road, Port Harcourt, Rev. Fr. Anthony Baakel, stated this at the 30th Inter-House-Sports School Competition/Meritorious Award of the college, adding that it was through sports that children’s talents and abilities could be exhibited, harnessed and utilised for the development of the society.

He said that the school gave prime place to sports as it does to academic and morals because of its positive impacts to the society, adding that many personalities in the world today became who they are through sports.

According to him, the school was well known for track records of brilliant academic, physical and moral performance because of the priority given to this trilogy in the formal education of the child.

“We recently won the Best school in academics by the Catholic Education Board for Best WAEC results, several competitions such as School Quiz, Debate, Essay and Spelling. The school is feared among other schools when invited for schools competition,” he said.

“This is why, “We give priority attention to sports in the school. I know that several of our students today will develop their talents to stardom at the end of the day.”

The principal noted that this is more possible in today’s world, given the fact that numerous sportsmen and women have not only become stars in their chosen fields, but also bread winners in their families.

He appealed to the Director of Sports in Rivers State, Mr Daobu Harvest Harry who was also the chairman of the occasion to provide the school with most of the various sporting equipments needed to train young talents.

The Principal also disclosed that the meritorious award was organised along side the Inter-House-Sports Competition with a view to recognising and appreciating those who contributed to the revival of the school.

In his remark, chairman of the occasion, and the Rivers State Director of Sports, Mr Daobu Harvest Harry, thanked the management and staff of the school for encouraging sporting activities in the school and directed that all that is needed to equip the school in terms of sports be forwarded to his office for considerations and submission to the relevant authority for approval.

Among the honoraries for the Meritorious Awards of medals include: Justice J.M. Kobani, Chief Dr. Peter Didia, Chief B. Ogela, Rev. Fr. Fabian Nwaeke and Engr Patrick Anaje. In the competition, Tony Amakiri won the Best 100metres Junior Boys, Gift Enyenwa Best 200metres Junior Boys while 4XIOO metres Relay Race Senior Boys medal went to Ala Oju Bob-Manuel.

In the parents awards category, The Mother of the Day, Mrs Ibifuro James Zacharie won the Best Caring Mother, the Director of Education, Very Rev. Fr Joseph, the President of Old Boys Association, Sir Emeka Icholu, Director of Sports, Rivers State and Chairman of the occasion, Mr Daobu Harvest Harry, Parent Teacher Association Chairman, Mr Ogaranya Nwabueze, the Special Guest of Honour, Mrs Maria Warmate among others were some of those that won the meritorious awards for their general contributions and donations.

In the schools Relay Race, Prison Staff School emerged the best in the Primary Boys category, in the Primary Girls category, Police Children School emerged winner. In the Senior Secondary school Boys category, St Mary’s Modern School, emerged best while Holy Rosary College emerged the Best in the Senior Secondary School Girls category.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana