PRESIDENT of the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA), Molly Rhone, has come out in support of sports development at the primary school level to help nurture positivity in youths.

Rhone was speaking at the presentation ceremony of the Kiwanis Club of Kingston-sponsored football and netball competitions for Corporate Area Junior High and All-Age Schools at the Hilton Kingston Hotel yesterday.

The former Jamaica Netball Association president emphasised the importance of various entities to contribute more to youth sports to aid in the development of the nation’s children and praised the club for their continued effort over the years.

“It’s important, and I would love to see more people doing it. You can build a nation through sports because sports is such a unifying force and it’s a way for the kids to build a positive image of themselves, and from sports it will transcend into their lessons.

“You start to feel good about yourself in sports, you will want to feel good about yourself in other areas and I think it’s great that it’s been running for 19 years,” she said.

In the football segment, Windward Road were eastern zone winners, and Louise Bennett took the northern zone, while central winners John Mills took the overall championship for the DLG Robert Blackwood Shield.

In the netball competition, central winners John Mills again snatched the overall championship prize for the DLG Trevor Christian Shield, while Windward Road and New Day settled for the eastern and northern awards, respectively.

Kevin Scott and Lisa Blackwood, both from Windward Road, topped the scoring charts in their respective disciplines. Shortwood Practising won the award for the most disciplined football team, while Windward Road received the netball equivalent.

Patrick Anderson, president of the Kiwanis Club of Kingston, described the October 26 to December 4 competitions as being “well participated”, and reiterated his organisation’s commitment to develop Jamaica’s youth.

“It means everything to us; that’s part of why we exist. We exist to encourage development of youth. When we see their reaction, when we see their enthusiasm, when we see the discipline that they learn through being involved in this competition, which is rigorously organised to our highest standards, we feel we have fulfilled our objectives,” he assured.