By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
Sports Bridge Foundation, Debriche Health Development Center (DHDC) and the Daniel Amokachi Eduplus Foundation have called for increased awareness of mental health, HIV, tuberculosis, personal hygiene and sexual and reproductive health among young girls.
The organizations made the call at the Sports Bridge Boot Camp held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, with the theme, “Sports and Mental Health.”
The programme brought together young athletes, particularly female volleyball players, to promote physical well-being, emotional resilience, teamwork and healthy lifestyles.
The boot camp also featured educational sessions on menstrual hygiene, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), HIV prevention, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Speaking at the event, a medical doctor, Dr Timothy Ikeh, advised the girls to pay close attention to changes in their menstrual and reproductive health cycles.
Also, Dr Omale Idoko, a member of the DHDC outreach team, said abstinence remained the most effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections among young people.
Idoko encouraged the participants to seek professional medical attention whenever they noticed unusual symptoms or experienced health concerns.
The athletes were also educated on the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene and accessing accurate information about menstruation and reproductive health.
The Chief Executive Officer of Sports Bridge Foundation, Nandaya Dikiyai, said the organization was committed to raising awareness about gender-based violence and mental health among young people.
Dikiyai called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment for girls who are victims of sexual abuse and other forms of violence to recover and realise their full potential.
She stressed the need for adequate support systems, education and opportunities to protect vulnerable young people and help them overcome social challenges.
The Executive Director of DHDC, Mrs Deborah Ikeh, said sustained advocacy was needed on sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as other health issues affecting young people.
She said DHDC was raising awareness about STIs, menstruation, HIV, cancer and tuberculosis, including how young people can identify warning signs and access appropriate healthcare.
“We want young people to have the right information about their body, their boundaries, speak up when they are pressured and know when and where to seek professional help when they have health concerns,” Ikeh said.
In a separate session, facilitators from the Daniel Amokachi Eduplus Foundation engaged the athletes in an interactive discussion on mental health under the theme, “Real People, Real Talk.”
The session focused on emotional well-being, mental health challenges and the importance of open conversations and seeking support when necessary.
The engagement followed the foundation’s participation in the United Nations flagship initiative, “One World, One Game, One Goal: Football for Youth Mental Health,” organized by the UN Youth Office in July 2026.
The organizers said the programme underscored the importance of using sports as a platform to promote disease prevention, healthy lifestyles, mental well-being, confidence and resilience among young people.
