Accra, Dec 17, GNA - SOS Children's Villages, Ghana has organized a soccer debate competition for selected Junior High Schools in the country in connection with the 26th MTN Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana 2008 on Monday.
The event, which is in collaboration with its International Partner, Dr Bella Bello Bitugu forms part of series of activities outlined by the charitable organization to explore the role of football as an effective medium for peace and development and to address many social and children's issues.
Six schools comprising SOS Hermann Gmeiner Primary and Junior High School, Adabraka Presby Junior High, Bunso Roman Catholic Junior High, St. Andrews Junior High School, Taifa Community 3 Junior High and Alhassan Gbanzaba Memorial School from Tamale participated in the final event.
Mr Kojo Mattah, National Director of the SOS Children's Villages in Ghana in an opening address said football is gradually becoming a medium for promoting positive messages in society.
He said the motive behind the debate is therefore to portray football as not only about playing, singing and winning but rather to show that strength and powers of football can be used to address issues related to the rights and plights of children and the development and enhancement of peace.
Mr Mattah commended Stanbic Bank and the consultant for the project, Dr Bitugu for their support towards the event. Dr Bitugu, a lecturer at the University of Innsbruck, Austria advised teachers on the need to encourage debate among pupils to enhance their sense of judgement.
He said debates are a crucial element in the upbringing of the younger ones that also helps to promote peace and development. Dr Bitugu, Co-Recipient of the 2006 World Cup FIFA Fair Play Award on behalf of the fans said that debate, dialogues, discussions and other forms of communication are very instrumental in the lifestyle of children as it broadens their knowledge scope in other related fields. The schools debated on various topics such as 'Can Football be used to Promote Peace and Development', 'Can Football be used to promote the rights of children and provide access to opportunities for a bright future' and 'Can football stars, coaches and administrators promote development in their communities'.
Taifa Community JHS, Adabraka Presby JHS, and St Andrews beat SOS Hermann Gmeiner, Bunso RC JHS and Alhassan Gbanzaba Memorial respectively in the three categories.
The winners were presented with a set of jersey, five footballs and certificates with the runners-up receiving five footballs each and certificates.
Amina Balma Ahmed of Alhassan Gbanzaba Memorial was adjudged the Best Debater and received a cash of GH=A210. Dr Bella also promised to pay for all educational materials for the Junior High School second year pupil for the next academic year.
