25 May 2016

The Department of Social and Welfare Community Development (S&CD), through Home Economics division in conjunction with 17 Lobatse day care centres, held sports day for day care children.

The event was meant to make provision for health and wellness from a tender age to help the children grow and develop physically.

Principal education officer, Tiny Ntshinogang, said the event served as a platform for parents, teachers and children to interact in an informal setting, as it could be of use where all the parties share life experiences and be able to find better solutions. 

She also said children should be introduced to physical activities at a tender age to reduce the risk of illnesses.

She said most people die of non-communicable diseases due to poor eating habits and lack of exercise, which could have been prevented.

Ntshinogang implored parents to change their lifestyle and expose their children to such healthy living lifestyle as most children suffer from obesity because of spending a lot of time watching television and eating fatty foods.

She said physical exercise activities help to stimulate children's brain.

Furthermore, she urged all the day care centres management to ensure that they link with Botswana Primary School Sports Association to improve the quality of sports.

For his part, chief social and community development officer, Thomas Mokgethi said the aim was to unearth children's talent for them to develop into athletes before they reach upper levels.

He said in most cases, sports activities were only conducted at higher levels.

When giving the objectives of the day, sports master from Itireleng Junior Secondary School, Matthews Maitshotlo said the idea was to create a platform for the young children to interact socially and to help them grow and develop physically.

He also said the event also exposes children to different competition challenges that help to build their self-esteem to be able to tackle them at any given time with confidence.

For her part, chairperson of Lobatse day care sports organising committee, Jada Cronje lauded all stakeholders who made the day a success and implored them to work collaboratively in promoting sports activities in day care centres.

She applauded those who were crowned winners and urged those who did not make it not to despair, but to put more effort in the coming years. ends

St Mary's Pre-school were crowned 2016 champions after accumulating 195 points, followed by Bethel A Pre-school with 125 points and thirdly Bethel B with 105 points. ENDS