Ministry to introduce Rhythm ‘N’ Play clubs in schools nationwide

Rhythm ‘N’ Play, a grassroots initiative to encourage young stars to participate in sports programmes through music, will soon be part of the extra-curricula activities in schools nationwide. This will be done through the establishment and management of the Rhythm ‘N’ Play Sports Clubs in schools.

A stakeholders meeting involving all relevant bodies, including the Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Sports, Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Parents Teachers Association (PTA), Association of Nigeria Principals and Nigeria Association of Physical Health and Recreation (NAPHAR), was held in Nasarawa State to plan and set guidelines for the establishment and management of the clubs in schools across the nation.

The Rhythm ‘N’ Play programme was initiated by former Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, and executed through the National Academicals Sports  Committee (NASCOM) after the Presidential Retreat on Sports held in November 2012 with a mandate that sports go back to the grassroots and schools.

Addressing the stakeholders at the Aunty Alice Schools, Koroduma, Karu LGA in Nasarawa State, venue of the meeting, Director, Education Support Services in the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. J.N Ibe, said once established the initiative would provide young Nigerians under the age of 17 with structured programmes that will use sports and play as critical tools for Learning. She reasoned that more talented kids among the school learners would be identified through the initiative.