Kintampo,(B/A) Aug. 7, GNA - Mrs. Akua Akubour Debrah, Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of Education, has stressed the need for sports, cultural festivals and other competitions in schools to promote love, unity and cooperation among students, teachers and the communities to enhance peace and understanding among the people.

She advised sports activists to be disciplined and comport themselves during the Region's inter-zonal sports festival in order to prepare a good team to represent the Region at the National Festival slated for Tamale next September.

Mrs Debrah was speaking at the opening of an Inter-Zonal Basic Schools Sports Festival organised by the Region's Basic Education Schools' Sports Association at Kintampo.

The Regional Director cautioned the participants against immoral behaviour during the competition and asked the sports organisers to help steer them away from offensive conduct and indiscipline. Mrs. Debrah said that sports has become a lucrative profession and urged the participants to take the competition seriously to also become professionals.

She mentioned Haminu Dramani and Asamoah Gyan, both citizens of Techiman and Wenchi who participated for the Black Stars in the just ended World Cup soccer tournament in Germany as typical examples. Mrs Debrah deplored the negative practice by some sports organisers to select members of teams through favouritism and advised them to collaborate to form a formidable team to represent the Region at the National Festival.

Mr M.E. Hinneh-Aframfo, Brong Ahafo Regional Sports Organiser said the participants would compete in athletics, cross country and half marathon races, as well as soccer, volleyball, netball, handball and table tennis.

Mr. Awudulai Razak, Kintampo North District Chief Executive called on the participants to be disciplined, obedient and respectful to achieve success for the District and the Region.