CANADIAN GATEWAY SCHOOL HOLDS 2ND ANNUAL INTER-HOUSE SPORTS COMPETITION
By Mcanthony Onuoha
It was a great outing for students and parents of Canadian Gateway Schools Okota, Lagos, who on Saturday, 15th of February, 2025, converged on the school sports ground for 2nd annual inter-house sports competition.
The school sports ground was lit up by the students and teachers, adorned in colourful attires that distinguished their houses as parents were also beautifully dressed in their sports apparels, adding so much glamour to the event.
The event, which was chaired by Customs Area Controller of Tincan Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, ably represented by Assistant Comptroller HA Hassan, who stood over an hour to take salutes from the students during their match pass.
The event accommodated a plethora of games for both the High school and Primary School Section. From Sack Race to Tug of War, Three Legged Race, Lime and Spoon Race, Obey the Command, 100m Hurdles, Shot Put, High Jump, Long Jump, Table Tennis, 4 By 100m Relay Race, Basket Ball, to Pulling the Load.
Meanwhile, the Primary Section engaged the children with Bursting The Balloons, Catching The School Bus, Wheeling The Tyre, Picking The Balls, and Throwing The Balls Into the Basket. They were also active in Tug of War, 25 Meters Short Race, Fill in the Bottles, One Legged Race, Picking The Balls while Blindfolded and Walking with Daddy’s Shoes.
Some of the invited schools participated in 4 By 100m Relay Race and Table Tennis. Parents were not left out as they also had their turn in 100m Race, Clock Game With Prize and Bottle Flip Challenge.
The Houses were named after four of the fifteen Canadian States, the Blue House represented British Columbia, the White House, Quebec, the Red House, Ontario, while the Green House represented Alberta.
The Blue House had 40 students, with Mr. Frederick Oghieakhe as House Master, Mrs. Oluwatobi Adeniji, Assistant House Mistress, while Master Bosa Dennis and Tehillah Okeke were the House Captain and Assistant House Captain respectively. The White House with 39 students had Mr. Francis Ojiakor, as House Captain, Miss Ifeoma S. Nwabisi as Assistant House Captain, while Okechukwu Bryan and Lawal Rama were Captain and Assistant House Captain respectively. The Red House were made which was made up of 42 students had Mr.Aroyewun Oluwadamilare and Mrs.Blessing Joshua as House Master and Assistant House Mistress, and Etoo Victor and Arinze Pascal as Captain and Assistant House Captain respectively, as the Green House with 40 students had Mr Babalola Hammed as House Master and Miss Nicole Silas as Assistant House Mistress, Ezenwa Maryann and Simeon Providence as Captain and Assistant House Captain respectively.
*THE CHAIRMAN OF CANADIAN GATEWAY SCHOOLS, DR. TIMOTHY AWOGBEMI, PRESENTING AN AWARD OF EXCELLENCE TO CUSTOMS AREA CONTROLLER, TINCAN ISLAND COMMAND, COMPT. FRANK ONYEKA ABLY REPRESENTED BY ASSISTANT COMPTROLLER HA HASSAN.*
Speaking to journalists, the Principal of Canadian Gateway School, Mr. Felix Ilesanmi said that sports remained a very vital in the life of every individual, and plays an important role in the upbringing of a child, as it boosts health and mental alertness. He said that Canadian Gateway Schools prioritize sports, and that informed the reason for bringing the students together to compete in various games. According to the Principal, ” one of our objectives is to encourage other schools around in making sports an important aspect of children’s upbringing. They should know how to manage their limited spaces to organize sporting activities for their students. It is unfortunate that most schools are not giving their students the opportunity to partake in sporting activities because of lack of space. Sports should be on the priority list in every school curriculum.”
” The importance of sport in our everyday lives cannot be overemphasized. In the world today, a huge number of sports men and women own private jets, and very influential. Some are even richer than some states. So providing enabling environments for them to be part of sporting activities has to be considered an important project.”
“We need to prioritize activities and movements that can make us exercise our bodies. The parents have to also get involved in sports activities as they are very vital to their mental health and body fitness.”
He said that Canadian Gateway Schools serve as a link or bridge to access Canadian universities and over three other institutions overseas, for further education. Students go for summer holidays in Canada through our link. Canadian Gateway School is three years old but it has a very big dream.”
” I want to appreciate the parents for being very supportive. They were even part of the planning of this event. I also want to appreciate our staff for their tremendous efforts that saw to the success of this very sporting event . And our Chairman, Dr. Timothy Awogbemi for his doggedness and tremendous support,” Mr. Ilesanmi said.
The Green House (Alberta) clinched the first position in the competition, while the Red House (Ontario) came second as the white House (Quebec) came third. The event ended on a very pleasant note.
