Community Sport and Educational Development (CSED) Initiative, in collaboration with the Cross River State Ministry of Education, recently organized a two-day seminar on netball for Physical Education (P.E.) Teachers in Cross River State. The event, aimed at providing Nigerian school children and youths access to learn and play netball, took place on May 2nd and 3rd, 2024, at the Table Tennis Hall of the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
Part of the “Project 2027,” CSED Initiative’s mission is to promote the game of netball as a tool for enhancing the health, well-being, and empowerment of girls and women. Thirty-eight participants from various secondary schools in the state, including three Cameroonian refugees, benefited from the training facilitated by Edema Fuludu and Dr. Grace Ataha, with support from Ifiok Inim, a P.E. Teacher from Uyo.
The training covered the fundamentals of the game, including rules, court markings, player positions, and associated roles. Practical sessions on warming-up, passing, throwing, and scoring were conducted, culminating in a practice game between the newly trained coaches. Additionally, a session on safeguarding, presented by Dr. Grace Ataha, emphasized the importance of providing a safe environment for students and athletes participating in sports.
Mrs. Okama U. Amos, Director of schools from the Ministry of Education, commended CSED Initiative for their commitment to empowering the female gender and encouraged participants to become reliable coaches in the revived sport of netball in Nigeria. She pledged to monitor the use of donated netball starter packs, which include netball rims/nets, finger-held whistles, training bibs, and balls, in participating schools.
Mr. Moses Ita, Director of Sports of the State Sports Commission, urged participants to utilize their newfound knowledge to develop netball in the state, noting that netball is poised to become a medal event in the National Sports Festival. He expressed satisfaction with the participation and promised to extend the sport to schools in other local government areas.
Feelers suggest the seminar’s success underscores CSED Initiative’s dedication to promoting sports development and empowerment, particularly among girls and women, in the state.
