DEPOWA School Holds Maiden Inter-house Sports Competition

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA) on Tuesday, held the maiden edition of its Daycare Nursery Primary and Secondary School Inter-House Sports competition to support development of sports among children.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sports competition featured Alphabet Game, Filling the Basket, Egg and Spoon Race, 100m Sack Race, Football, 100m Race, Relay Race and Match Past.

The houses named after the five associations that constitute DEPOWA include NAOWA House, NOWA House, NAFOWA House, POWA House and DEPOWA House.

POWA House came top with 85 points; NAOWA House came second with 70 points; NAFOWA House came third with 64 points; NOWA House came 4th with 63 points while DEPOWA House came last with 52 points.

Schools of other sister associations were also invited to participate in the competition.

In her remarks, the President of DEPOWA, Mrs Oghogho Musa, expressed delight that the school had come of age and able to put up such competition event for children to showcase their sporting talents.

Musa said the idea of the inter-house sports competition was to promote healthy competition, teamwork, and sportsmanship among students.

She said that various schools were intentional in organising sporting event as a way of encouraging physical activity and healthy habits as well as school spirit.

According to him, other important benefits of inter-house sports competition are that it teaches important life skills such as perseverance and how to work for common goal; above all, it is a day of fun for our children.

“From the proceedings so far today, I have no doubt that the pupils and students of DEPOWA Daycare, Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools are thoroughly enjoying themselves.

“I am truly moved and inspired by the incredible performances of these young athletes as they showcase their sporting talents, compete with each other and interact with one another, in atmosphere of joy and happiness.

“Beyond the wins, medals and accolades, what truly stands out to me is the sportsmanship that pervaded our school community in the course of this event.

“We witnessed moments of triumph, moments of near misses and even moments of defeat but what defined the entire moment is the atmosphere of mutual respect and support among competitors.

“This is a testament to the values instilled in our school – values of integrity, respect and fair play,” she said.

DEPOWA president congratulated the pupils and students for their hard work, perseverance and unwavering commitment to excellence from the track to the field events.

She also commended the teachers for their dedication and tireless efforts, which she said, was instrumental in shaping the athletic abilities, character and leadership qualities of the students.

The Acting Commandant of DEPOWA School, Maj. Samuel Buzugbe, thanked the DEPOWA President for approving the inter-house Sports, describing her as an exceptional leader impacting lives in various ways.

Buzugbe said that Mrs Musa had participated in various physical training exercises and as such, understood the benefits on the overall health performance of humans.

He said the competition was one in the lists of various extra-curricular activities organised for learners thereby providing them with opportunities to engage in healthy competitions, develop teamwork and leadership skills, and promote physical fitness and well–being.

According to him, sport competition helps to build learners’ sportsmanship and resilience as they worked together with their housemates, support each other and learn to graciously accept defeat and celebrate success with humility.

“In general, sports helps to unite people of diverse culture, ethnicity, religion and different strata of life to set aside their individual differences thereby enjoying maximum interactions, feelings as well as sense of humour that comes with sport,” he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OYS/IAA

=======

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola