The Kwara State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Saadatu Modibo Kawu has said, sport is important to education curriculum, urging schools to include sport in their activities.
The Commissioner, represented by Hajiya Ramat Lawal, Head of Quality Assurance, of the Ministry made the assertion during the 2025 Al-Ikhlas Schools Inter-House Sport Competition.
She said that there was need for students to participate in any sport activities of their choice, as it helps their brain function well and improve their thinking ability.
“Students that participate in sport activities tends to perform excellently well in class and assimilate fast.
“I am impressed with the effort of Al-Ikhlas Schools in ensuring that it’s students participate actively in sport, at the same time in both western and Islamic education.
The commissioner urged other schools to cultivate the act and encourage their students to participate in sports, citing its importance in their daily activities.
While speaking, Dr Tahjudeen Bolaji, Al-Ikhlas Schools Proprietor said the aim of the competition was to make students embrace success and accept defeat without feeling discouraged.
“Students should be given the opportunity to display their talents, not only through academic performance but also in the aspect of sport, in order to encourage them.
“It is not only through academics that a learner can be measured, they can also be measured through their natural gift.
“In every competition, everybody cannot emerge winner, there have to be victory and loser, but whatever position a student find himself, he should know that there are better opportunities next time,” he said.
Chairman of Ilorin West Local Government Area, Hon. Shehu Ladan, represented by Engr. Oba Abdulazeez posited that sport has contributed greatly to the development of education sector.
Ladan said that sport is an exercise that helps to increase fitness of the body, reduce fatigue and improve health development.
He called on all schools to introduce sports in their curriculum, for the benefit of students who are learners and need to be both mentally and physically fit.
The activities of the competition includes 100 metres race, Relay race, Filling the bottle, Egg race, 50 metres race, Filling the basket, Tug of War, Balloon race and Blind folding.
Four houses participated in the competition, in which Umar house came first, while Ali house carried the second position and the third position goes to Abubakar house.
Also, 13 private schools in Kwara graced the event and participated in the competition, in which Best Heritage School took first, while Islamic College came second and the third position goes to Excel Kiddies Academy.
