Play sports instead of having sex

Young people should play sports instead of having sex and contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), according to a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

RAINS, in partnership with GoalGhana from the UK, has organised a two-day soccer festival at Savelugu in the Northern Region with a call on students to abstain from early sexual activities.

The event was an implementation phase of one of the projects of the NGO, which focused on the use of sports, especially football, to educate the youth on the need avoid the related risks of exposure to STDs, live long lives and stay healthy.

The soccer festival brought together 80 selected students of basic schools within the Tamale metropolis and the Savelugu municipality of the Northern Region, who were then grouped into four teams supervised by four coaches.

The event was also used to raise the awareness of young boys and girls about issues affecting their growth and development, including adolescence, rape, communication skills, relationships, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), unsafe abortion and HIV/AIDS

The theme of the festival, ‘Soccer as a Tool for Development’, was thus used to highlight and instil the principles of discipline, hard work and commitment to teamwork as an effective means to enhance their academic performances and progress.

At the closing ceremony to climax the festival over the weekend, the project co-ordinator, Mr Ibrahim Osman Adam, advised the students to abstain from early sexual activities and attach importance to their classroom work.

He said Sexually Transmitted Infections are mainly acquired through sexual activities, which could affect their education and future career.

He reminded them that they had brighter opportunities ahead of them and they would realise those dreams if only they live healthy lifestyles by engaging in various sporting disciplines and avoid indulging in negative acts.

“Through the game of football you would become physically fit and also acquire other needed skills that would keep your goals on course,” Mr Osman added.

The Savelugu Municipal Sports Co-ordinator, Mr Adam Salifu Yakubu, urged the youth to develop their God-given talents in football to the highest level.

He noted that sports, especially soccer, has impacted positively on the lives of many people worldwide, adding that the youth have a greater chance to benefit more if they pursue their talents to the highest level.

He, however, urged the youth not to concentrate all their time and energy on sports to the detriment of their education.

Tamale Man City Football Club emerged winners of the competition, beating Savelugu Green Grass on penalties.

For their prize, they were presented with a trophy and a football while the runners-up and the other two participating teams were presented with a football each.