Former director of Bauchi State Sports Council, Mr Ibrahim Hassan, has advised the state government to improve funding of extracurricular activities for secondary school students to avert crime.
Hassan gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Bauchi, saying that extracurricular activities kept the youths occupied, thereby, reducing crime.
He noted that the high rate of unemployment and crime rate amongst youths in the state had become alarming and worrisome.
Hassan explained that sports offered a promising opportunity for youths not to become tools for crime and violence but tools to prevent and build peace .
“Sport is increasingly being relied upon as a mechanism to promote peace in many societies.
“Not only do sports provide an opportunity for personal growth but they also promote positive energy and change within communities.
“Therefore, it is essential to provide the youths with an opportunity to divert from crime,violence and drugs, which is so endemic in some communities,” Hassan stressed.
Furthermore, he urged the government to make it mandatory for all secondary school students to have access to a minimum of two hours of extracurricular activity per week.
“Access to sport improves academic prospects, builds confidence, improves mental health and reduces crime among the young people.
“Sports interventions reduces the rate of offences by 52 per cent and increases under achievement of pupils’ numeracy skills by 29 per cent,” he said.
Moreover, Hassan advocated for a review in existing coaching qualifications, to ensure fitness.
He, however, urged the government to ensure all children had equal access to quality sports and physical education in and out of school.
