Parents have been advised to encourage and support their children's participation in sporting activities. Apart from the honour and joy of excelling, these activities also contribute to their overall development.

Principal, Queen's College (PQC),Yaba, Lagos, Mrs. Omolara Euler-Ajayi, gave the advise during the recent 41st annual inter-house sports competition held at the college's sports ground in Yaba.

Mrs. Euler-Ajayi, who represented the University of Ibadan (UI) in the West Africa inter-university Game held in Ghana in 1967, and won four gold and one sliver medals, said that sports "sharpen the intellect and make one physically fit. "

She stressed that the objective of education, according to the National Policy on Education, is not only to develop the individual academically, but also in various other extra-curricular activities thereby ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education."

The PQC, who also broke the Western Nigerian record in Shot put, Javelin and Discuss, advised the students to show more interest in sports.

The advice was echoed by the chairman of the occasion and Special Assistant to the Minister of Sports Mr. Gboyega Okegbenro, as well as the guest of honour, Mr. Sola Oduwole of the Nigeria Breweries Plc, who were both represented by their spouses.

Mrs. Okegbenro advised the participants to believe very strongly in their instincts in order to excel in whatever sporting activity they engage in.

In a brief remark, Principal King's College (PKC), Lagos Mr. Akintoye A. Ojemuyiw, also emphasised that sports have many benefits. Apart from the health and intellectual benefits, sports also enhances social activities as it keeps young people away from crime."

In the march past, Danfodio (Red) House came first with 71 points, Emotan (Green) second with 67 points, Obong (Orange) third with 66 points, Obi (Yellow) forth with 64 point, Obasa (Blue) fifth with 53 points and lastly Efunjoke (Purple) with 50 points.

But in the overall competition that featured both track and field events, Obong came first, Obi, second; Efunjoke, third; Danfodio, fourth; Obasa, fifth; and Emotan, sixth.

The invitation relay races also featured students from the Federal Government Colleges, Ijanikin Lagos and Odogbolu, Ogun State Federal Government Girls' Colleges, Sagamu, and Oyo and King's College, Lagos. Others are Holy Child College, Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School, Methodist Boy's and Girl's High schools, Angus Memorial Secondary School and CMS Grammar School, all in Lagos, among others.

King's College won the men's category, while Methodist Girl's High school came first in the women's category.