The festival, aimed at helping to improve the health of participants and to unearth talents, was also to build friendship and cooperation among the colleges of education in the country.

The festival, was on the theme: “The Role of Colleges of Education in the Restoration of Physical Education and Sports in our schools”.

Dr Harriet Naki Amui, the President of COESA speaking at the opening ceremony, said, some colleges of education would be offering Physical Education  (PE) as an examinable subject for the Junior High Schools (JHS) to improve the teaching of the subject at the JHS level at the next academic year.

She said, they would be combining academic pursuits with community needs and healthy extracurricular activities to strike the necessary balance between physical and mental development for students.

She said there would be competition for football, volleyball, handball, table tennis, netball, cross country and athletics.

Dr Amui stated that the festival would have some impact on the life of the participants, as sports plays a role in the reduction rate of stroke, non-insulin diabetes, stress and high blood pressure.

Mr Salifu Sa-eed, the Northern Regional Minister, advised the participants to obey the rules and regulations governing the games and also discipline themselves and stay away from misconduct.

Alhaji Dr. Sulemana Iddrisu, the Principal of the Tamale College of Education urged the participants to use the event to build a sense of cooperation and teamwork in the educational colleges to enhance the existing good relationships among the colleges.

A total contingent of 850 including officials and principals from all 46 colleges across the country would take part in the festival.