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Nigeria may not
benefit fully from all interventions available for the development of
sports in schools unless there is a legal and institutional framework
for school sports in place. This was disclosed by Judith Giwa-Amu,
Programme Officer, Basic Education of UNICEF, in Abuja, at the National
Steering Committee meeting for International Inspiration Programme.

“It is conceivable
that the institutionalisation of physical education and school sports
policy would provide the impetus that will galvanise stakeholders to
take the needed steps and actions,” she said. “Without the national
school sports policy in place, Nigeria may not avail herself of all the
interventions available from UNICEF. Also states may not easily adopt
it if there is none at the federal level.

“Before we do
anything there must be a legal document. The document will ensure
provision of regular and systematic instructional physical education;
recreational and competitive sports opportunity and experience in all
educational institution.

“This will enable
every child and youth in the school system to actualise his optimal
potential for the benefit of the individual and society.

“This policy
clearly states the roles and responsibilities of various agencies that
provide services to sports in our various schools. This shall assist in
eliminating duplication of services, wastage of resources and lack of
coherence in the programmes and strategies being pursued.

There is need for
an appropriate institutional framework which will effectively
coordinate, promote and ensure implementation of approved government
policy in all levels of education.

When the policy is in place there will be seamless implementation of the International Inspiration programme.

The programme
involves linking some Nigerian primary and secondary schools with some
schools in the UK so that both can work together with each other to
develop replicable models and practice.

School sports
policy, she said, is guidelines for the operation of sports education,
practice and experience within schools. The purpose is to provide
guidelines and directions for school programme and experience that will
ensure optimisation of deliverable benefit pupils, students and the
society.

The International
Inspiration programme was designed to enhance increased take up of
sporting opportunity by children and young people of all abilities
including marginalised children and children with special needs. It
targets increased engagement in education by young people.

“We are trying to bring children to school, distract them from unwholesome practice,” Giwa-Amu said.