OKITIPUPA (ONDO STATE) – Mr Marcus Ogunnowo, an educationist and sports enthusiast, on Wednesday said that Nigeria can reclaim its lost glory in sports if the potential that abounds in the schools were properly harnessed and developed.
Ogunnowo, the Principal of Methodist High School, said this when he spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the 54th Inter-House Sports Competitions of the school in Okitipupa, Ondo State.
He said that the inability of the state governments to concentrate on school sports was responsible for the current dwindling fortunes of sports in the country.
“Most of the past potentials who had done Nigeria proud in the ’80’s were discovered in the schools, especially during Inter-House Sports competitions but the reverse is now the case.
“The government should go back to the grassroots , especially in the schools, to discover, nurture and develop these potential who are ready to help Nigeria reclaim its lost glory in sports,’’ Ogunnowo said.
The principal commended the 150 students who participated in the competition and urged them not only to show their skills in sports but to concentrate on their studies as well.
Mr Wole Omosule, the Games Master of the school, said most of the students displayed a high level of skills in the competition.
He said that if those students were well motivated, they would go places.
Omosule said that sports was a money spinning venture and he appealed to the students not to relent on their oars in sports.
NAN reports that the students took part in track and field events, including 100, 200, 400, 800 and the 1,500 metres, as well as the long jump, javelin, discus, and shot put, for boys and girls.
NAN also reports that Glover House came first with 173 points, while Olayeye, Shodipo and Olatubosun houses came second, third and fourth, with 154, 135 and 123 points, respectively. (NAN)