The education ministry in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)’s regional programme ‘Sport for Development in Africa’ awarded winners of the sports art competition on Monday.
Through the Integrated Physical Education and School Sports (IPESS) programme, children between seven and 16 years from across the country were asked to submit a drawing, showing the importance of sport and physical education.
In addition, each child submitted a short story, describing how sport has impacted their lives. The drawings and stories are part of the 2022 IPESS calendar.
The competition ran from 24 September to 24 October 2021.
From the entries received, the judging panel picked 12 winners to be featured on the calendar.
The winners were awarded hampers consisting of an art set, a skipping rope, a ball of choice, and an IPESS gift hamper (made up of an IPESS mask, T-shirt, water bottle, notebook and sports bag).
The two winners present at the prize-giving ceremony held at the education ministry offices were Maria Rengura from Chairman Mao Zedong High School and Penyovamati Hashiti of Green Leaves Primary School and Physically Active Youth.
Speaking to Youth Corner, 15-year-old Rengura said: “Sport education will help build my physical strength and also my confidence”.
Last year, the education ministry with other stakeholders launched this advocacy campaign on IPESS. The programme is aimed at promoting education and school sports, which will become an intrinsic part of all school learners’ overall development, and form part of their healthy lifestyle.
IPESS is a fully inclusive programme that does not only focus on the ‘sporty’ children.
“Every boy and girl, whatever their level of ability, will be included. No one will be left behind. The ‘Sport for Development in Africa’ concept that has already been rolled out and implemented successfully across the nation and trained teachers in physical education, laid the foundation for this programme,” said Ayesha Wentworth, a clinical psychologist in the education ministry.
- ashikololo@nepc.com.na