Chua Chu Kang Primary help overweight children build self-esteem through sports

Contributed by Mulyadi Ibrahim

Chua Chu Kang Primary, November 16, 2009 – A total of 250 students from four schools – South View Primary School, Unity Primary School, De La Salle School and Chua Chu Kang Primary School – took part in basketball, floorball, football and captain’s ball.

The Sports Xtravaganza was organised for pupils who are overweight by more than 30% above their recommended weight levels.

Students were all geared up to compete against each other on a more fair level, eliminating any forms of elitism.

In football, South View Primary School emerged as Champions after they managed to contain a fearsome Chua Chu Kang Primary School in the deciding match.

However, the home team managed to make up for that loss by snatching away the top prize from South View Primary School in captain's ball.

Over at the basketball court, De La Salle School's strong and tough defense made sure they were able to fend off their challengers.

Unity Primary School’s concentrated and strategized efforts were duly rewarded when they won the floorball gold medal.

"The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the internal and external competitions, giving them another avenue for sporting excellence and paving the way for improvement in overall self-esteem for the overweight pupils," said Mr Mohammad Shah, the director of physical education at Chua Chu Kang Primary School.

"There are other initiatives by the school to assist these students to lead a healthy lifestyle such as weekly mass exercise, Eat Your Greens day and even using HASu.com to track their physical activities progress," he added.

"It is great to see the students enjoying themselves without the emphasis on winning. Winning in this case is just a bonus. The key elements for today's event are friendship, respect and strive for excellence to achieve a healthier lifestyle," said Mr. Mulyadi Ibrahim, portal manager of the sports social network, HASu.com.

"It was great to see the leading beverage in Singapore, MILO Nestle, being the main sponsor for such an event," added Mr. Mohammad Shah.

Parents and fellow students who were not able to participate in the Sports Xtravaganza were able to watch the matches in real-time in HASu.com.

Final Standings

Football
1st South View Primary School
2nd Chua Chu Kang Primary School
3rd De La Salle School

Captain’s Ball
1st Chua Chu Kang Primary School
2nd South View Primary School
3rd De La Salle School

Basketball
1st De La Salle School
2nd South View Primary School
3rd Chua Chu Kang Primary School

Floorball
1st Unity Primary School
2nd Chua Chu Kang Primary School
3rd De La Salle School