Nkawkaw, Feb. 25, GNA - The Eastern Regional Director of Education, Mrs Rene Boakye-Boaten, has advised parents and teachers to encourage and support Basic School children to participate in sporting activities from the tender age alongside their academic education pursuits to enable them develop their talents.

Mrs Boakye-Boaten observed that the youth would not be able to manage their experience and talents especially in relation to their sporting activities at the local and international level without proper education. The Regional Director of Education said in an address at the opening of the 18th Eastern Regional Under-12 Inter Districts Primary Sschool boys soccer, girls netball and the Under-15 Junior High School girls soccer and athletics Sports Festival at Nkawkaw. Over 1,400 athletes and players from the 21 Municipal and Districts are participating in the five-day competition. Mrs Boakye-Boaten advised the participants to be disciplined and comport themselves during the Festival and use their sporting talents to transform their lives.

The Kwahu West Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Alex Somuah Obeng noted that school children can only develop their talents if certain basic educational facilities are put in place to enhance their academic education. He said that was why government has increased the Capitation Grant by 50 percent and started with the supply of school uniforms to basic school children in deprived areas as well as the provision of free exercise books to public basic school children including the construction of educational infrastructure to enhance effective teaching and learning. Mr Obeng said the Municipal Assembly has been contributing towards the development of sports in the municipality and donated a number of footballs and jerseys to some Basic Schools and has plans to rehabilitate the Nkawkaw Sports stadium to enhance sporting activities in the municipality. In an opening football match, Kwahu West defeated Kwahu East by 2 - 0.