Lots of talents were discovered on Thursday as Secondary School students in Osun State on Thursday celebrated the 2021 Children’s Day by engaging in sporting activities.
At the Children’s Day Cross Country Race organised by Gold FM radio station and Macjey sports firm in Ilesa, some of the students who participated in the athletic game appealed to governments, their parents and guardians among other stakeholders to give them more attention with a view to realising their potentials.
Speaking, a student of the United Methodist African Grammar School, Ilesa, Miss Pelumi Olawole, who won the first position in the female category of the 5-kilometre country race within Ilesa township, said there was a need for government to create better enabling environments for children and youth to thrive.
According to her, her participation in the race and the birthday programme gave her sense of belonging and the idea that she could have a
career in sports.
Pelumi then urged the state government and parents to assist their children in discovering their talents and also nurture them.
“I want our government and parents to give us more attention and take care of us. I am happy that I emerged first in this Cross country race. This is my first time of participating in it and I believe that if government can be organising this kind of competition, it will make our future better,” the student said.
Also speaking, Badru Michael of Ilesa Grammar School who clinched first position in the male category said sports could serve as a means of tackling youth restiveness.
“I have always been a sports lover because I know that sports is a way of making youths and children to be serious and stop bad habits. I am happy because this year’s Children’s Day is a special one. I love the way they celebrated it for us,” he noted.
Meanwhile, a traditional ruler in the state, Alaje of Ajebamidele, Oba Akeem Abdul Ayodeji, while speaking at the Children’s Day event held at Gold FM Ilesa, advised parents to nurture and sustain sporting talents in their children.
Oba Ayodeji advised secondary school students who participated in the road race to brace up for higher tasks that would avail them to the global scene.
The General Manager of the station, Mr Adedamola Tinubu congratulated the children from various schools in the state and explained that new talents had been discovered during the game and that some athletes would be trained to represent Osun and the country in International marathons.
“We decided to catch them young in the area of Athletics. This is made for the younger generation. The winners will be taken through some trainings and contest Internationally. This kind of programmes will tackle youth restiveness. Engaging young ones in something productive like sporting activities is necessary because they won’t take to criminalities and restiveness. If children can take interest in sports, it will be better for the society,” Tinubu said.
In his message, a political stalwart and guest speaker, Mr Adedapo Adelowokan said the programme would encourage children to reach greater heights in their career.
Represented by Mr Babatunde Oladapo, the guest speaker advised children and youths to avoid act that could bring their names into disrepute, but contribute their quota to the democratic and socio-economic growth of the country.
Highlights of the celebration included games,quiz, choreography and a 5-kilometre cross country race by the school children. After the games, the organisers of the programme said lots of talents were discovered among the participants and that these talents would be nurtured to stardom.
Badru Michael of Ilesa Grammar School won the male category,while Adetunji Babatunde and Mayowa Adebiyi were the runners up.
In the Female category of the country race, Pelumi Olawole of the United African Methodist Grammar School, Ilesa,won the first position,Mary Kayode was the second and Mobolaji Okotore clinched the third position.
