Cape Coast, March 2, GNA - The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur on Thursday called on students to take active interest in sporting activities and to appreciate its importance to the socio-economic development of the nation.

He said sports does not only make people healthy but it is also a means of livelihood, stressing that sports was now a serious business in the culture of every nation and it was therefore imperative that the nation try to encourage and promote its development. Nana Arthur said this when he opened the 17th annual Central Regional Athletics championship at the Regional Schools and Colleges Park at Adisadel, Cape Coast.

The competition which is being organized as part of the golden jubilee anniversary of Ghana's independence has about 60 second cycle schools participating in Pole Vault, Shot Putt, High Jump, Discus, Hurdles, Javelin, 4x100, 400 meters, 4x400 and 1,500m among other events.

Nana Arthur said due to the important role sports play in the development of the nation, physical education has been accorded its rightful place on the school curriculum and sports and games are organized from the basic to the tertiary level to enable all have equal opportunities to develop their talents.

"The exploits of Michael Essien, Margaret Simpson, Ignatius Gaisah, Vivian Mills and Aziz Ansah all started like you and are now making the country proud at the international level", he said. The Regional Minister however reminded the students that good academic performance, good character and discipline were bedfellows and inseparable and therefore urged them to exhibit a very high sense of discipline in the competition.

He also advised them about the effects of HIV/AIDS and urged them to abstain from practices that would lead them into contracting the deadly disease which has no cure.

Nana Arthur commended the regional sports association for its hard work that made the Region win many trophies at Sunyani last year adding that he was hopeful that the Region would again win more trophies this year.

He however expressed regret about the slow pace of work on the schools' sports complex and urged all schools that are still in arrears of the school park levy to ensure that they pay up in time to ensure its early completion.

The Regional Minister gave the assurance that the Regional Coordinating Council would continue to play a key role for the completion of the regional complex and sports development as well. Mr Albert Ayimful, the Regional Chairman of the Schools and Colleges Sports Association in a welcoming address said a new touch has been added to this year's competition with the inclusion of athletes from schools in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions to participate on invitational relays.

He called on the athletes to take the competition seriously to enable them qualify for the national event and urged all officials to exhibit and fairness and sportsmanship in their duties. The Chairman also expressed concern about the slow pace of work at the schools sports complex even though the terraces have been completed while the VIP lounge is yet to be completed and appealed to the Regional Minister to ensure that funds are released to complete the project. 02 March 07