The St Francis College of Education (FRANCO) is hosting the 16th Annual Inter Sports Festival for Colleges of Education in the Volta and Oti Zone in which seven Colleges are participating.
The event is on the theme “Promoting unity and excellence through Sports; the role of the teacher trainee.”
Participants are drawn from the St Francis College of Education, E.P College of Education, Amedzofe, Dambai College of Education, Peki College of Education, Akatsi College of Education, Jasikan College of Education and St Teresa College of Education.
Dr Adwoa Kwegyiriba, the Principal of St Francis College of Education, said it was believed that sports was a powerful platform for breaking barriers such as ethnical, religious and geographical locations.
She said the occasion was to celebrate teammates and worthy opponents devoid of divisions.
Dr Kwegyiriba urged participants to represent their respective institutions with dignity and showcase their quality of character and not only their talents.

Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, emphasised the importance of teamwork, discipline and leadership during the event and not just about athletics, which tended to groom the trainees being prepared to lead in the classroom as well as their communities.
He urged the participants to exhibit sportsmanship throughout the event, adding that there was a need for talent development to export to other parts of the world.
Mr Gunu reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring quality education at the Colleges of Education and honouring its promise of abolishing teacher licensure exams.
Dr Dickson Tse, the Principal Chairman of the Colleges of Education Sports Association (COESA) and Principal, E.P College of Education, Amedzofe, said there was the need for government through Parliament to consider increasing the sports component of fees that students paid, to ensure the timely promotion and organisation of sporting events.
He urged the participants to conduct themselves well to ensure the success of the occasion.
Dr Daniel K. Hammond, Volta and Oti PRINCOF Chairman and Principal, Jasikan College of Education, said the participants who were teacher trainees were not only molded academically but socially and morally.

The games offered the platform for the trainees to demonstrate sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork and endurance, which were vital qualities to the teaching profession in the 21st century, Dr Hammond said.
He stated that the government recognised the importance of sports in holistic education hence through the Education Ministry, efforts were being made to establish a structured and comprehensive school sports system, to ensure equitable access to organising competitions and skills development from basic to tertiary levels.
He said teacher trainees must be well-positioned to support the vision and benefit from it.
Togbega Gabusu VII, the Paramount Chief of Gbi Traditional Area, said sports united the citizenry and also used to promote peace in communities.
Dr Hammond called for government support through the Sports Ministry for Colleges of Education with facilities especially in the Hohoe Municipality in sports development.