.. As PTA Chairman, Abu Michael, says Schools sporting activities, plays significant roles in students growth, development.
Schools, sporting activities have been attributed to play a significant role in students growth and development.
The Chairman, Anchor International Schools Lokoja, Parents Teachers Association, Mr. Abu Michael, made the disclosure at the maiden edition of the Schools Games held at the GYB Model Science Secondary School, Adankolo, Lokoja.
The Chairman noted that participation in sports has physical benefits, promotes the growth of positive character traits, such as teamwork, discipline, and other important life skills.
He noted that through sporting activities, students and pupils are able to maintain physical well-being and fitness.
“Children can better maintain a healthy and active lifestyle if they participate in sports. Regular physical activity can improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, endurance, and one’s motor abilities and ability to coordinate movements,” he said.
“Students who participate in schools sports like athletics have enough possibilities to participate in various athletic pursuits, including but not limited to football, basketball, swimming, tennis, track and field, and many more.”
“Students will acquire habits that will encourage lifelong fitness, lowering their risk of obesity and other related health issues.
Mr. Abu added that participating in schools sports has a beneficial effect on a person’s mental health as well as their emotional well-being”, commended the management of Anchor International Schools for the initiative after a long year of academic activities.
“Students can channel their emotions healthily and constructively when participating in sports because these activities also serve as a means of emotional expression and stress alleviation. In addition, taking part in team sports encourages camaraderie, companionship, and a sense of belonging, all of which contribute to an increase in one’s sense of self-worth and an overall improvement in mental health”.
He added that there there is a positive association between athletic engagement and academic performance, which contradicts the common belief that participation in sports takes time away from academic pursuits.
“Students who engage in regular physical activity increase their cognitive function, attention span, and memory. As a result, they can better concentrate on what the teacher is saying and remember what they have learned.”
He added that students of different cultures, races, and nations can communicate more easily and naturally when they play sports together, adding that “students gain the ability to work together as a group and communicate effectively, acquire an appreciation for diversity, and cultivate lifetime friendships based on mutual respect for one another and shared experiences”.
Earlier in a remarks, the Chairman of the schools sports planning committee, Barr. Sunny said each student is encouraged to improve their competency in at least one activity, such as athletics, table tennis, lawn tennis, swimming, shooting, or badminton, and be a member of at least one team sport, such as football, basketball, or cricket, to promote abilities at games.
“Through sporting activities, students will cultivate an atmosphere where they can flourish academically, socially, and physically, preparing them for a prosperous future”.
In her remarks, the Proprietor of Anchor International Schools, Mrs Helen Okpanachi said the school has made sports compulsory to the curriculum of the school as it plays an important part fostering the character development and life skills, pointing out that it positively influencers academic performance, facilitate social skills and cultural diversity, and instil healthy competition and sportsmanship.
“Sports also promote physical health and fitness, enhance emotional well-being and mental health, foster physical health and wellness, and enhance emotional well-being and mental health”.
Highlights of the 2024 sporting activities included tug of war, athletics and football competition between the students, parents and teachers.
At the end of the Sporting activities, Blue House emerged the overall winners of the games, followed by Green, yellow and red house. The female teachers defeated the female parents while male parents defeated the male teachers in the football tournament.
