The maiden
edition of Akwa Ibom State Youth Sports Festival has begun in the state.
The competition which is organized by the State Government through the
Ministry of Youth & Sports in partnership with the Ministry of
Education commenced on Tuesday, February 14 with the Local Government
Elimination Series.The State Commissioner for Youth & Sports, Sir Monday Uko, made this known in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Media and Communications, Mr. Edidiong Stephen. Mr. Uko said that the Festival is part of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s vision for the revival of the now defunct Schools Sports. He said the Festival, which has been approved to take place twice a year, is designed to help sharpen the mental alertness of schools’ pupils and students.
The Commissioner who is also the Chairman of the State Sports Council revealed that the Games are organized in Primary and Secondary Schools Categories. He said the Primary school category comprises thirteen sports while the secondary school category comprises fifteen sports. He listed some of the sports to be competed to include football, basketball, volleyball, handball, wrestling and athletics. Others are Judo, Karate, Swimming, Badminton, Tennis, Squash, taekwondo, Scrabble and Chess.
Mr. Uko pointed out that the Local Government Elimination Series of the Games have been scheduled to take place across all thirty-one Local Government Areas of the State from Tuesday, February 14 to Friday, March 24. He said champions from each Local Government Area will qualify to participate in the State Finals of the Games which have been scheduled to take place in Uyo from March 15 to March 19.
The statement indicates that the state government has earmarked sumptuous prizes to be won by winners at the end of the competition and calls on Principals and Games Masters to drive the message home to their wards and encourage participation.
By Edidiong STEPHEN
No comments:
Post a Comment