PRINCIPAL of Day Waterman College, Ogun State, Mrs. Jeni Sayer has urged parents to encourage and motivate their children in the area of sports in order to groom young talents for the future.Speaking recently as students of the College took to the tracks to battle for laurels in their 2nd yearly inter-house sports competition, she said the school is looking to develop students with interest and talent in all areas, whether in music, drama, arts, and academic leadership and especially sports.With an extensive ground within the college premises that is able to cater for all sports ranging from a full size football and cricket pitch, two hard courts for tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, she noted that a 25m swimming pool is also on ground at the Club house for the use of the students while space has also been allocated to develop extra sports facilities at a later date.She said, Parents are a great part of whatever we do in the school, because if they did not release the children to us, we will not be able to train them to exhibit the talents they have in them. We also want to create awareness, that apart from academics, children can be encouraged to excel in other areas of life such as engaging in sporting activities.Established as a modern co-educational boarding school. She pointed out that Day Waterman College is designed to provide exciting learning environment for children between ages 11-18.Chairman of the event, Mr. Martin Uku, managing director, Portals Construction, Port Harcourt, urged parents to ensure that schools they enroll their children and wards in have play grounds and sporting facilities to enable the students acquire holistic education, which is necessary for their development.He identified sports as a major tool that promotes oneness, unity and tolerance among competitors, which if learnt at an early stage in life will help in furthering peace and unity in the country at large.A situation where many schools spring up with just the building for class work and no playground not to talk of field for other sporting activities is not good for any childs development, he stressed.Uku also listed some of the benefits of sporting activities to include, Sporting activities enhances brains metabolism and prevent obesity in children. Exercise enhances the brains metabolism and children who engage in regular body exercise have increased memory power as a result of better brain function. This, in most cases brings about improved academic performance.He however expressed concern that children of the digital age are more inclined to watching the TV, playing computer games and surfing the internet without paying attention to body exercise, noting that all these activities put together is an invitation to obesity.It is in view of the foregoing that education recognises the psycho-motor domain as one of the three basic development needs of a child, Uku added.The inter-house sports competition, which held at the schools sports complex in Asu village road, off Abeokuta Expressway, Abeokuta, Ogun State saw students take part in different track and field events ranging from 100m, 200m, 400m, 4 x100m races and long and high jump.At the end of the contest, Yellow House emerged winners with 254 points. Red House was second with 246 points and with 236 points, Purple House came third. Green House and Blue House came 4th and 5th position with 188 and 170 points respectively.
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