Bimbilla, (N/R), Oct. 25, GNA - The government has planned to provide at least one playing field in each of the 18 districts in the Northern Region to promote sporting activities, Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface, Northern Regional Minister has announced. He said so far three districts, Yendi, Salaga, and Bimbilla as well as the Tamale Metropolis had benefited from the largesse, while the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) was working in collaboration with the Regional Sports Council to ensure that the other districts also benefit in due course.

Alhaji Boniface announced this when he opened the Second Northern Regional Sports Festival in Bimbilla in the North Nanumba District on Monday.

All 18 districts are competing in track and field events, in addition to soccer and volleyball in the weeklong games, being held under the theme: "Building Ghana through Sports and Unity."

The Regional Minister said sports had taken its proper role in the culture of every nation and it was therefore imperative that its development was promoted in order to expose children to varying experiences and prepare them adequately for the task of nation building. He therefore challenged sports organisers, teachers and all whose duty it is to direct and guide the younger generation to be committed in the discharge of their duties so that the talents of the youth would be harnessed to the benefit the country.

Alhaji Boniface appealed to the competitors to be disciplined, saying: "You must succumb to discipline in all you do because discipline is the only road to success."

"Indiscipline, rowdyism, jungle behaviour, impatience, intolerance, disrespect and disobedience, all in the end, lead to failure in life," he added.

He advised the students against fighting or taking part in destroying school and public property, drug abuse and alcoholism. Mr. Salifu Saeed, North Nanumba District Chief Executive, in a welcoming address, urged the officials and the competitors to use the festival to foster unity and understanding among themselves He asked them to observe the rules and regulation guiding the Games in order to make the meet a success.