In an effort to introduce the game of netball to the youth of Cross River State, the Community Sport and Educational Development (CSED) Initiative, in collaboration with the Cross River State Ministry of Education, recently organized a two-day seminar for Physical Education teachers. Held on the 2nd and 3rd of May 2024, the seminar took place at the Table Tennis Hall of the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.
Dubbed “Project 2027,” this initiative aims to provide Nigerian schoolchildren and youths with opportunities to learn and engage in netball, a sport designed specifically for girls and women. Recognizing the potential of netball to promote the health and well-being of the girl child while blending sports with academics, CSED Initiative is committed to fostering its growth in the region.
The seminar attracted 38 participants from various secondary schools across the state, including three Cameroonian refugees representing their community in Adagom 1, Adagom 3, and Ukende Camps in Ogoja local government area. Facilitated by Edema Fuludu and Dr. Grace Ataha, supported by Ifiok Inim, a PE teacher from Uyo, the training also saw the involvement of Dr. Ping Osaji Nsagha from the Human Kinetic Department of the University of Calabar, and two students from the University of Uyo.
Participants underwent comprehensive training covering the fundamentals of netball, including rules, court marking, player positions, and associated roles. Practical sessions focused on warming up, passing, throwing, court positioning, and scoring, culminating in a practice game between the newly trained coaches.
An essential component of the seminar was a session on safeguarding presented by Dr. Grace Ataha, emphasizing the importance of providing a safe sporting environment for students and athletes. Following the training, participants were granted access to free online safeguarding courses.
Mrs. Okama U. Amos, Director of Schools at the Ministry of Education, commended CSED Initiative for its dedication to female empowerment through developmental programs. Encouraging participants to leverage their training to become proficient netball coaches, she pledged support in monitoring the distribution and utilization of donated netball starter packs across schools.
Similarly, Mr. Moses Ita, Director of Sports at the State Sports Commission, urged participants to utilize their newfound knowledge to drive the development of netball in the state. Expressing optimism about netball’s future as a medal event in the National Sports Festival, he pledged to extend the sport’s reach to schools in underserved local government areas.
The seminar not only equipped PE teachers with essential skills but also laid the groundwork for the expansion of netball across Cross River State, promising a brighter future for female sports development in the region.