By William Madouk
At least ten government secondary schools in Central Equatoria State are set to battle for honor in this year’s inter-school competition in Juba.
Kwajok Lako, the organizing committee’s information secretary told No.1 Citizen Newspaper that the tournament starts today, with 10 schools competing for honours, in Juba.
“As part of the efforts of the Ministry of Education in Central Equatoria State to revitalize school sports activities, the school tournament for government secondary schools will be launched today,” said Lako.
“Teams representing ten government secondary schools will participate and compete in a football tournament,” he added
The inter-school tournament under the theme ’Students are the future Generations’ will be officiated by the governor of Central Equatoria state, Gen Augustino Jadalla Kamilo.
He explained that this is the second school sports and culture event since July 2021, in which about 30 primary and secondary schools participated.
According to Lako, all the games will be played at Buluk playground and will continue until the fifth of August.
“The football tournament will continue until the fifth of August, with full funding from the ministry and under the supervision of the CES minister of Education Cirisio Zakaria Lado,” he noted.
Mr. Lako emphasized that the competition is meant to discover budding talent among students – which would later pave their way in national or regional tournament selection.
“The tournament is considered a great opportunity for the national teams to select talented people (students) to participate in the regional tournament designated for teams under the age of 17,” he clarified.
To him, the current inauguration of inter-school race is a rejoinder to false allegation against the minister Zakaria, and also as assurance that scarcity of funds cannot stop students’ activities.
Lako lamented that since independence the National Ministry of Youth and Sport has neglected organization of the national inter-school tournaments, despite JICA’s willingness to fund activities.
He appreciated Zak Printing and Design company for sponsoring and its contribution in providing medals and designed certificates of appreciation.
“We also call on the rest of the national companies to support sport and cultural activities in government schools in the capital Juba,” he concluded.