The 2016 edition of the annual Sports for Health event begin on Friday, starting with a march past from the Churchill’s Town Petrol Station to the Serrekunda East Mini-Stadium.
The event is organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports through the National Sports Council. The theme of this year’s event is “Keep sporting to fight diabetes.”
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Independence Stadium, ahead of the event, Marcel Mendy, the Executive Director of the National Sports Council said this year’s event, the fifth edition, would begin with a march past from Churchill’s Town to the Serrekunda West Mini- Stadium.
He noted that the aim of the event is to create a platform for people to engage in physical exercise, adding that people who are not engaged in physical exercises are likely to be prone to more illnesses or diseases.
He pointed out that Sports for Health mainly targets politicians, the legislature, the civil service, judiciary, parastatals, the business community and the United Nations system.
The event, he concluded, is expected to be graced by the Vice President, Cabinet Ministers, Directors and heads of institutions among other senior government officials.
Siffoe Singateh of the Non Communicable Disease Unit of the Ministry of Health noted that this year’s event would include free blood screening for diabetes and help people with obesity problems.
“Ageing with A Smile Initiative (ASI) will also conduct free screening for the elderly with sight [defects] during the three days and all these activities will take place at the Serrekunda West mini stadium.”
by Momodou Faal &
Awa Gassama
