Students Urged to Develop Sporting, Other Skills

Uchechukwu Nnaike 

The Head of School, Greensprings Anthony Campus, Mrs. Magdalene Okrikri, has urged students to develop other skills, especially sports, to complement their academics.

Speaking at the 2024 Sports Day of the school, held at the University of Lagos Sports Centre, she said sports helps students to develop alertness, spirit of sportsmanship, and other physical benefits to their bodies. She added that when a child is physically alert, it has a positive impact on teaching and learning.

“Research has discovered that the effect of physical activity on memory is not only apparent in the medium- or long-term, but can also be momentary. According to German researchers, physical activity during teaching helps with memory,” she said

Okrikri stated that research has also proven that physical activity reinforces cognitive activity, adding that sporty children are very often excellent problem solvers. 

She added, “Sporting activity will help develop their strength, speed, skill, stamina, and flexibility, but it also increases self-esteem, builds social skills and leadership, increases resilience and inculcate values.”

Okrikri advised the competitors to be open minded and to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship and take the outcome of the event with a sense of responsibility. 

The Executive Director of Greensprings School, Mrs. Lai Koiki, described the sports day as a celebration of the school’s values, unity and dedication to fostering a healthy and active lifestyle among students.

She stated that sports day is not about winning medals or breaking records. 

“It is about the invaluable lessons that sports teach us – discipline, resilience, teamwork, and leadership. It’s about learning to push ourselves beyond our comfort zones, to set goals and work tirelessly towards achieving them, and to embrace the joy of both success and failure as part of the journey,” said Koiki.

The Head of Physical Education Department, Mrs. Gladys Okatu, said sports and other activities are integrated into education to groom a total child. She added that a lot of talents have been discovered through the sports day and other activities, and have been groomed further to represent the school at external events. 

The sports prefect, Miss Temitayo Dortie said sports teaches self-control, determination, and self-confidence. 

A parent, Mrs. Folashade Dare, said children look forward to inter-house sports competition every year because it creates excitement and keeps them active, and also unites them.

She stressed the need for students to strike a balance while participating in sports to ensure that no aspect is affected. 

At the end of the sporting events, Moremi House came first with 29 gold, 30 silver and 11 bronze medals; Amina House came second with 21 gold, 18 silver, and 16 bronze medals; while Enahoro House came third with 13 gold, eight silver and 15 bronze medals.