Thomas Ofori-Donkor, Atwima-Nwabiagya District Chief Executive has described sports as an effective tool for promoting peace, development and friendship and not to generate conflicts, violence and hooliganism. He said sports should therefore be used to strengthen the bond of friendship, which existed among competing teams rather than allow it to divide them. Mr Ofori-Donkor said this at the opening of the 32nd Ashanti Regional Under-15 annual Inter-District Basic Schools Sports Festival at Nkawie . With the exception of Offinso District, which failed to participate in the festival, the other 20 Districts in the Region will be competing in the week-long event of soccer, volleyball and athletics. The DCE said he was optimistic that the Physical Education Co-ordinators and other trainers would use the festival to evaluate the practical teaching of the physical education subjects to unearth talented youth for further development of their potentials and skills. Mr Ofori-Donkor said under its Medium Term Development Plan, the District Assembly would upgrade all existing sporting fields in the Area Councils as part of its programme in the development and promotion of sports. He announced that the Assembly would offer sponsorship to athletes who excel in the festival and advised the participants to put in their best. Mrs Dinah Appiah, the District Director of Education in her welcoming address, cautioned the athletes against indiscipline and acts that may affect their future upbringing. She advised them to be humble and also abide by the rules and regulations of the festival, adding, "You cannot climb to the highest level in sports if you are not disciplined". Mrs Appiah attributed some causes of conflicts and hooliganism in competitive sports to poor officiating and appealed to the referees and judges to be fair and impartial in their decisions. She noted that sports and daily exercises were the best form of medication and asked the participating teams to take the festival seriously as it is one of the surest ways of ensuring good healthy and discipline. Source: GNA