By Christian Okpara
It is wrong to convert intermural periods officially earmarked for sporting activities to time for fashion parades and other sundry events, the Nigeria Association for Physical, Health Education, Recreation, Sports and Dance (NAPHER-SD), has said.
 
NAPHER-SD said in a statement by its president, Prof. Florence Adeyanju, that the act is a clear violation of the fundamental objectives of intramural sports, which are designed to promote physical fitness, teamwork, discipline, and healthy competition among students.
 
Stating that intramural periods are not just recreational breaks, but are structured for purposeful activities that contribute significantly to the all-round development of learners, NAPHER-SD warned all school administrators, games masters/sports officers and student bodies in the country to desist from misusing intramural sessions, saying that it cannot be substituted with non-sporting activities like fashion shows.

Prof Adeyanju said that such practices are unacceptable as they undermine the essence of physical education in schools and send wrong messages about the value of sport and physical wellness in nation building and youth development.
 
He called on relevant educational authorities, federal, state, local government, private or public schools to sanction those who violate the use of physical education and sports time for other purposes.