Using weight as the only factor to determine age eligibility in inter-school sports competitions at basic level doesn’t make sense to me – K. Lover writes

Hello everyone,
My name is Ebenezer Kojo Nyavor, also known as K-Lover. I am a journalist at Agoo 96.9 FM in Nkawkaw and a YouTuber with Lovers TV Africa, www.youtube.com/@loverstvafrica (a Kwahu-based online media network).

I am deeply concerned about the method used to determine age eligibility in inter-school sports competitions at the basic level. I am urging the public to join me in calling for the abolishment of this policy.

I believe that using weight as the only factor to determine age eligibility in inter-school sports competitions at the basic level has led to negative consequences.

This policy has prevented thousands of talented school children from participating in these events since 2000.

It is alleged that, some students, who are passionate about sports, especially football, resort to taking drugs or fasting to lose weight due to the fear of disqualification.

If not addressed, this policy’s adverse effects could potentially affect millions of students. Additionally, the weight-based approach has prevented many students from showcasing their skills, which could have a significant psychological impact on their daily lives.

During a visit to several sports centers in Kwahu, it was apparent that many students were traumatized, which could destroy their love for football. According to parents, most of these students are skillful, passionate about football, and qualify to play based on their age, but their weight disqualified them from the competition.

The lack of trust regarding their ages is the driving force behind this method, and the only solution to reduce the problem is to use the “weight method” to select qualified students for the competition.

In my opinion, using weight as the sole criterion for determining age eligibility in inter-school sports competitions at the basic level is unnecessary and should be immediately abolished.

Several ways can be used to select qualified students for such significant games, including the use of National Health Insurance cards, date of birth, or the Ghana card.

I hope that my concerns will be considered promptly, allowing eligible children who have a passion for football and other sporting games to participate in such an important exercise.

Did the Authority consider that using weight as the only factor to determine age eligibility in inter-school sports competitions at the basic level can have several negative effects, including:

1. Exclusion of talented students: This policy may prevent talented students who are above the average weight limit from participating in sports competitions, leading to their exclusion from sports activities.

2. Health risks: Students may resort to dangerous methods such as fasting, taking drugs, or over-exercising to lose weight and meet the weight criteria, exposing themselves to health risks such as malnutrition, dehydration, and eating disorders.

3. Psychological effects: The weight-based approach can lead to a negative self-image and low self-esteem among students who are overweight, affecting their mental health and overall well-being.

4. Unfair advantage: Students who are below the weight limit but are not as skilled as those who are above the limit may be selected to participate, giving them an unfair advantage over other students.

5. Lack of diversity: The weight-based approach may prevent students, who are naturally larger or more muscular from participating, limiting the diversity of athletes in sports competitions.

6. Reduction in participation: The weight-based approach may discourage students who are above the weight limit from participating in sports activities altogether, leading to a reduction in the number of participants.

7. Negative impact on the development of young athletes: This policy can hinder the development of young athletes by preventing them from showcasing their skills and gaining experience in competitive sports.

Although some of my questions have been answered in my opinion I still have these questions to ask the authorities…

1. What is the rationale behind using weight as the only criterion to determine age eligibility in inter-school sports competitions?

2. What are the potential negative consequences of using weight as the sole factor to determine age eligibility in sports competitions?

3. What measures have been put in place to ensure that students who are passionate about sports but are disqualified due to their weight are not excluded from sports activities?

4. What are the alternative methods that can be used to determine age eligibility for inter-school sports competitions other than using weight as the only criterion?

5. Have there been any studies or research conducted to determine the effectiveness of using weight as the only factor to determine age eligibility in inter-school sports competitions?

6. How does the policy of using weight as the only criterion to determine age eligibility in sports competitions aligns with the overall mission and goals of the sports authority?

7. What role do coaches and teachers play in addressing the negative impact of using weight as the sole factor to determine age eligibility in sports competitions?

8. What efforts have been made to raise awareness and educate students and parents about the potential risks associated with using drugs or fasting to lose weight to participate in sports competitions?

9. How does the policy of using weight as the only criterion to determine age eligibility in sports competitions affect the overall development of young athletes?

10. What steps can be taken to ensure that all students have equal opportunities to participate in sports activities regardless of their weight?

Did the Authority consider that using weight as the only factor to determine age eligibility in inter-school sports competitions at the basic level can have several negative effects, including:

1. Exclusion of talented students: This policy may prevent talented students who are above the average weight limit from participating in sports competitions, leading to their exclusion from sports activities.

2. Health risks: Students may resort to dangerous methods such as fasting, taking drugs, or over-exercising to lose weight and meet the weight criteria, exposing themselves to health risks such as malnutrition, dehydration, and eating disorders.

3. Psychological effects: The weight-based approach can lead to a negative self-image and low self-esteem among students who are overweight, affecting their mental health and overall well-being.

4. Unfair advantage: Students who are below the weight limit but are not as skilled as those who are above the limit may be selected to participate, giving them an unfair advantage over other students.

5. Lack of diversity: The weight-based approach may prevent students, who are naturally larger or more muscular from participating, limiting the diversity of athletes in sports competitions.

6. Reduction in participation: The weight-based approach may discourage students who are above the weight limit from participating in sports activities altogether, leading to a reduction in the number of participants.

7. Negative impact on the development of young athletes: This policy can hinder the development of young athletes by preventing them from showcasing their skills and gaining experience in competitive sports.