Uchechukwu Nnaike
Parents and teachers have called on school proprietors nationwide to promote sports by providing facilities for their pupils to exhibit their different sporting talents.
The stakeholders gave the advice for sports development in schools at the maiden edition of Starfield College, Fagba, Lagos, chess tournament for primary, junior and secondary, which attracted seven private schools.
The event’s chairman, Dr. Akin Babafemi, said he is happy with sports development in schools such as Starfield College and called on others to imitate the school.
Babafemi noted that most schools did not have sports facilities.
A parent of Starfield College, Stephen Akiogbe, tasked school owners to invest in sports facilities to develop and catch young talents among its pupils.
According to Akiogbe, when schools invest in sports, it will attract companies and sports associations to sponsor and hunt for new talents.
The Sports Coordinator of Starfield College, Matilda Feyijimi, urged schools to invest in sports to groom and discover new talents.
“Physical education is important in schools. My director of studies is interested in sports, and he promotes sporting activities in the school. It would motivate pupils and make them discover their talents in sports,” she stated.
In his speech, the Director of Studies, Starfield College, Mr. Chris Eigbe, observed that many parents have realised that chess is a wonderful way to teach young children mathematical concepts and important thinking skills that can be used throughout their entire life.
He listed other benefits of chess to include concentration, decision-making skills, deep thinking, problem-solving, deep reasoning and critical thinking abilities.
The director of studies said the college would continue to encourage its students to take an interest in chess by providing the time and environment necessary for its mastery.
The primary category was won by Home Science Primary School, Oko-Oba, followed by Cedars World Nursery and Primary School, and the third position went to Tofek School, Abule Egba.
Starfield College went home with the trophy in the senior category, while Tofek Schools was second and Providence High School, Fagba came third.
