The preliminary rounds of the Maltina School Games will begin today across the four states pencilled down for the pilot phase of the new school sports programme.
Over 500 schools will take part in the track and field events that will produce finalists across the states ahead of the national finals in Lagos next month.
According to the organisers, over 20 million schoolchildren would be impacted by this innovation into the school calendar by Maltina brand, which is designed to promote and foster national unity and raising active kids through sports.
Lagos, Kano, Anambra and the Federal Capital FCT will be the centre of attraction from today all through to February 21, as youngsters aspiring to be Olympians and represent Nigeria at the highest stage of track and field sports will set their dreams into motion.
According to the breakdown, Lagos with 182, has the highest number of participating schools coming from its six educational districts.
There are 120 schools from Kano, while Anambra has 124 and the Federal Capital Territory, 116 all registered for the Maltina School Games
The Maltina School Games is also a platform designed to promote the development of children, from improving their social and leadership skills to bettering their wellbeing through sports, the organisers said.
“With many children set to meet others outside the four walls of their respective schools, the Maltina School Games beyond breeding happy moments is also fostering national unity while raising active kids.
“Outstanding athletes from the Maltina School Games will get a chance to represent Nigeria at international competitions across the world and that could mark a big turnaround in becoming world-acclaimed stars in their respective fields,” the organisers said in a statement.
They also announced that the Overall Best School would win N1 million worth of support for its forthcoming inter-house sport.
“Also, the Overall Best Athlete (OBA) will win a scholarship to any Federal University of choice.
“After the Preliminary round, the state finals will start days later this month from February 24 to 28,” the statement added.
