Nkonya-Wuropong, Mar. 21, GNA - Miss Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of State at the Ministry of Education and Sports has deplored the lack of interest by students in school sports that has culminated in the downward trend of sporting activities.

She also regretted that sports no longer play an important role in many schools any more.

Miss Ohene who said this when she delivered a keynote address at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Nkonya Secondary School in the Jasikan District at the week-end, therefore called for equal attention to be paid to the health of the youth if quality education was to be achieved.

She said that beyond the healthy competition that was not encouraging through the inter-houses and inter schools competitions the forum created the necessary atmosphere for both academic and social life.

"We must re-capture those times since today there is the added incentive with sports becoming an international event", Miss Ohene added.

The Minister said a student athletic or a footballer was likely to prepare for their future lives and gain financially than those with stronger academic capabilities, stressing on the need for all to exploit all the opportunities that are available.

Miss Ohene entreated the youth to avoid the use of narcotic drugs since it was unproductive and leads to loose life and drug addiction with its associated problems at the detriment of nation building.

The Minister further appealed to the youth to practice positive lifestyles to avoid contracting the HIV/AIDS menace.

Mr Ernest K. Addae, Headmaster of the school urged parents to sacrifice for the education of their children since the reward was enormous in the future.