RCCG, Junior Church Sports was introduced by the Directorate of Teens and Children Education DTCE and started officially at National Level in 2004 annual convention at RHS field, Redemption Camp Nigeria. The competition was inter-province, until regions were introduced into RCCG. The annual competition was usually filmed and outside the were usually present to grace the occation, also in house and external official were used.
When the sport stated, it was mainly ATHLETICS which includes;
Races – i.e 50m dash, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, 4x100m & 4x400m relay races, including lime and spoon and sack races.
Jumps – i.e high jump and long jump
Throws – i.e shotput, discuss and Javelin throw
“ I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith ”
2 Timothy 4 : 7 kjv.
Before the commitment of the annual competition, there usually be an opening ceremony which includes march – pass and gymnastic performance from participating provinces/regions.
When Junior sports stated in 2004 the two major national exco were
Segun Aiyegbusi – National sports Director
Nosa James Oghogho – National sports General secretary then others were officials
About five years ago, the junior church sports changes direction from ALTHLETICS to INDOOR GAMES when we moved to the present auditorium and a place in the auditorium was given as a sports centre. The indoor games then were – badminton, volley ball, table tennis, chess and scrabbles. Last year 2014, we added basket ball this year 2015, we proposed to add tracks event i.e 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m, and 4x400m, relay races, including U-13 boys and girls football, either aside or full team player depending on the availability of medals and certificate.
“ Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby ”
Hebrews 12 : 11 kjv.
There are always benefit / reward at the end of each year’s competition e.g presentation of certificates of participation & medals, the trophies for the first three overall winners were formaerly presented to the PICPs, but now to the PICPs at the main auditorium on Sundays of the convention by Daddy G.O himself.
Despites the challenges ever since we started the junior church sports in 2004,we have seen and heard from our province & regional sport directors of the excellent performances of our teens & children at local, state, national and international sporting activities in different events. Also , many teens & children are annually won to Gods kingdom through junior sports. (Praise God)
We are planning to state our sports festival, tagged ‘‘the RCCG junior church sports festival’’ (at national level), and regions/provinces are do theirs also, once every 2 years. The winning team(s)/province(s) or region(s) are to remain as the defending champion(s) until defeated.
Presently, the junior church sport Exco has increased from 2 to 6 and 8 events supervisors, our officiating officers do increase every year. We hope it will also go down to regions, provinces etc. in Jesus Name (Amen).