Lae primary school students in Madang for sports meet

 MORE than 50 primary school students in Lae left for Madang yesterday to compete in ball games.

The students attend different primary schools in Lae but have come together to form teams to compete with other primary students in Madang.

PNG Games media and marketing officer David Harro confirmed that the primary schools in Lae have been running inter-school competition which saw the  best players from each school selected  to form the teams.

The students will be playing soccer, volleyball and basketball.

According to a source, the idea for the competition in Lae and now with Madang was for the children to learn the sports and get an appreciation for team sports.

“The idea behind this initiative is to involve children in sports. The teachers want these students to actively take part in sports. Sports will develop and discipline them. That is the idea behind this,” said the source.

Parents of students participating said that they were happy to see their children taking part in a wholesome and character-building activity.

One parent revealed this might just be one good way of keeping students occupied and away from drug and alcohol abuse and especially school fights which had been a major problem in recent times.

It will be a four-day event and the students will be returning on the weekend.

The students are currently on their second term break from classes.