SCOREline: NEW GENERATION TAKING OVER:

GROOMING FUTURE GENERATION OF STARS IN SPORTS - ST PIRAN’S CHURCH SCHOOL ORGANISES INTER-HOUSE SPORTS COMPETITION.

Report compiled by Nnabugwu Euphemia Ngozi

Yes We Can, this young generation seems to be saying

Sports has been identified as vital to the holistic development of young people. This was noted by the Acting Headmistress of St’ Piran’s Church School, during the School’s Bi-annual inter-house sports competition, held at the School’s premises in Jos, Plateau State.

Mrs. A.O Aina, Acting Headmistress, St' Piran's Church School

The Acting Headmistress of the School, Mrs. Aina, also informed the huge crowd at the event that the school do not only aim to breed academic stars but also to produce giants and stars in sports who with the fear of God will lead this Nation (Nigeria) to higher heights.

She also noted that sports and physical exercise are important to produce healthy citizens, and on this note called on parents to embrace light exercises and workouts as a way of life, saying “it is what every individual should delight in”.

Continuing, she stated that the school has been coming out victorious in all the invitational sporting events, taken part in, both in the past and at the present. Apart from winning laurels at invitational events, the school, has also been doing well in other sporting competitions, she added. Citing the recently concluded “All Anglican Primary/Secondary schools sports competition”, she said, “This is an occasion to remember, as St’ Piran’s Church School came second, and was honoured with a trophy”.

Before concluding her address, she enjoined the competitors to play by the rules, and equally reminded them that at the end of the sporting competition, like any other, aggregated result of the competition will be announced and winners will emerge. She said “In every competition, there is always a winner and those that will be defeated. I therefore, beseech would be winners of the today, to be magnanimous in victory, and in this regard, celebrate their victory in such a way that those who did not win are not slighted or mocked. As for those who may not win, I urge you to accept defeat in good faith, because tomorrow is another day”.

Finally, she used the opportunity to thank the Vicar of St’ Piran’s Church, Ven E.J. Gongden and the entire leadership of the Church for their wonderful support of the School in their programmes, including academic and sports.

Mrs. Ehiemere: Teacher with St' Piran's Church School

In an interview with our reporter at the occasion, Mrs. Ehiemere, a teacher with the school and a sports enthusiast, said, “Sports in the school setting is an important avenue for young people to learn and develop life skills. Driving home her points, she said “sports as part of the school curriculum, in addition to physical benefits has strong influences on inclusion, community building, character development, delinquency and community safety. It also has positive impact on emotional and social development. On the strength of this, she called on parents and guidance to support their wards to take active part in sports, whether or not they are aspiring to become professional sports men and women.

Speaking also to our reporter, another teacher of the School, Ngozi Nwankwo said “participation in sports provides an opportunity for young people to learn and also practice life changing attributes such as friendship and intimacy, honesty, fair play, courage, discipline, respect for others, and adherence to rules. According to her, sports, prepares and equips the pupil with the knowledge, skills and ability to deal with competitions and how to cope and manage winning and defeat favourably.

Aunty Willy

An experienced teacher, Aunty Willy, fondly called so by teachers, staff, students and Pupils of St’ Piran’s Church School, when interviewed by our reporter at the event, said “through play, sports and other physical activities, children learn, explore, invent, create and express their emotions and gain confidence to confront challenges, as well as test their capacity to overcome challenges”.

Chinazaekpere Nnabugwu, one of the pupils whose efforts contributed to the winning of Green House, when asked what she learnt from the competition, and what spurred her to excel, said, “it is not the way you dress or look that wins laurels, but your ability to perform. This demands concentration, focus and commitment”.

Chinazaekpere - Active for Green House

Some Schools within the Jos metropolis were invited to participate in the sporting event and their participation was highly commendable.

At the end of the competition, the result as announced by the judges revealed the following:

1^st position - Green House

2^nd position - Blue House and

3^rd position – Yellow House

Prizes, Gifts and Trophies were presented to winners at the end of the competition.

Before the event came to a close, all present, were treated to a sumptuous meal by the school authority, supported by the St’ Piran’s Church, owners of the School.

See other Pictures below: