Other Sports of Wednesday, 8 September 2004

Source: GNA

Women in Sports Association counsels girls

Bolgatanga, Sept. 8, GNA - Members of the Women in Sports Association of Ghana (WOSPAG) have counselled girls attending the Basic Sports Festival in Bolgatanga to be disciplined morally and study hard to attain greater heights.

The Association is celebrating its 10th anniversary in collaboration with the French Embassy, often counsels the on various topics including teenage pregnancies and other sexually transmitted diseases during the basic schools sports festivals.

Mrs Elizabeth Quarmyne, Vice-President of the Association impressed upon the girls to emulate legendary sports women and endeavour to lead such exemplary lives and try to surpass their achievements.

She said that, "If you are good in sports, you are sure of sponsorship to continue your education."

Mrs. Quarmyne urged the girls to be respectful to their parents, teachers, and to avoid indecent dressing.

The Bolgatanga Municipal Director of Health Services, Dr. Alexis Nangbeifubah cautioned the girls against activities that would expose them to Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and said unlike malaria, STDs are consciously acquired.

He advised that if they cannot abstain from early sex they should insist of the use of condoms, stressing that the use of condoms should not be seen as promoting promiscuity and that it should be seen a totl protection against the HIV/AIDS.