By Felix Ekwu
Private school administrators have been admonished to balance academics with extracurricular activities so as to inculcate life lessons such as discipline, teamwork and dedication in students.
The charge was given by the Chairman of Udu Local Government in Delta State, Chief Jite Brown, at the 3rd Annual Inter-House Athletics Competition of Greater Heights Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society School, DSC in Orhuwhorun community of the state.
The spirit of sportsmanship, dedication and hard work was on display as pupils and students of the school engaged each other in the Inter-House Athletics competition held at Igbogidi Model Primary School, Igbogidi, Orhuwhorun in Udu Local Government Area.
The colourful sports event featured match pass, sprint and long-distance race, staff, parents and cooperators race, as well as the flamboyant “catching the Delta Line”, which saw Pink House emerging winners amidst fun and celebration.
The athletes drawn from the Nursery, Primary and Secondary sections of the school, took part in various sporting events like march past, sprint, filling the basket, Lime race, sack race, staff race, parents race, cooperators race, invitational relay, as well as “catching the Delta Line” event, with medals and prizes awarded to the winners.
At the end of the competition, Pink House dethroned Yellow House to emerge champions with Red and Blue Houses finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively. While Green House finished 4th with Yellow House, 5th.
Commending the multi-purpose cooperative society for their efforts in organising a befitting inter-house athletics competition, the Chairman of Udu Local Government, Chief Jite Brown, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Elohor Awinoron, reiterated the Council’s resolve to support private and public schools in the area in providing the needed sporting experience for their learners.
Mrs Awinoron, who noted that sports are part of education advised individuals and corporate organisations intending to obtain school licenses to provide playgrounds for their learners to engage in sporting activities.
She said that the Council through its Local Education Authority is committed to the physical and mental development of learners in public and private schools.
For their part, the President, Greater Heights Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society, Chief Freeman Ikpen, the patron Yellow House, Chief James Toka, and other patrons expressed joy over the success of the school’s 3rd annual Inter-House Athletics competition judging by the excellent performances put up the participating pupils and students of the school.
They noted that the cooperators intend to raise the bar in subsequent editions that will produce state and national athletes in the nearest future.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Principal, Greater Heights Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society School, DSC, Mrs Grave Okpolua, said the importance of extra-curricular activities and sports in the school system cannot be overemphasized hence the management is not losing any sight of them.
For her part, the Chief Inspector of Education for Udu Council Area, Mrs Sibete Bukola, represented by Mrs Chukwuma Anna, commended the school authority for organising the inter-house athletics competition as it provides the platform for the students to compete and discover their talents.
As the name implies, Greater Heights Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society School, DSC, Orhuwhorun in Udu Local Government Area since it was established ten years ago has continued to break new grounds in academics and sports.
