By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Deputy Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Chukwuma Okoye has called on youths to embrace sports as a veritable means of livelihood, but not abandoning education.

He stated this over the weekend during the 10^thInter-House Sports Competition of Kabe College held at the Awka City Stadium in Anambra State.

Okoye, an alma mater of the unisex college noted that educated sports men and women excel more than those without education, citing Ronaldo, Messi as a case in hand.

The lawmaker who was the Chief Guest of Honour at the Sports Competition further described education as key to the development of various fields of endeavour.

He added: "Education Is very critical to growth and nation building. So as a student, always take your studies seriously in order to be successful in your future endeavours. If you desire to excel in sports, work hard in your studies as doing well in both will put you ahead of your peers.

With good educational background and sound morals, students have the leverage to success and also be able to contribute to the growth of the society.

He further commended the management of the school for the innovations and initiative to hold the 10^thedition of the program in a unique an entertaining way describing it as essential for the total growth and development of the students.

Okoye further recalled that during his days as a student of the college in the year 2003, they always came out tops in sports competitions in the state.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of the college, Mr Joseph Okeke, said that the school is blessed with a lot of sports talents, saying that they have set up programs to help them excel.

He said that the school has instituted a sports scholarship scheme for indigent students who are talented in the area of sports.

Okeke said, We are giving scholarship to students who are skilled in certain areas of sports. We are doing it as a means of encouragement.

We know the importance of sports and what it can do in the lives of people. If you are privileged to be in school and being a sports person, it is a double barrel against life challenges.

Meanwhile, out of the six Houses that took part in the competition, Crystal House emerged champions of the 10^thInter-House Competition of the College with a total of nine gold, one silver and three bronze medals.

Sapphire House came second with four gold, two silver and three bronze medals while Ruby House also on nine points as Sapphire house had two gold, four silver and three bronze medals.

Emerald, Jade and Jasper Houses picked fourth, fifth and sixth positions with nine and seven points from one gold, five silver, three bronze, one gold, four silver, two bronze and zero gold, one silver and six bronze medals respectively.

Highlights of the event include dancing, athletics, javelin, match past among others.