For sustained sponsorship of the AKS/NNPC/MPN Schools Athletics Championship in Akwa Ibom State, the sports minister and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria have lauded the NNPC_MPN Joint Venture.

During the grand finale of the 10th anniversary of the championship held in Eket over the week end, the Sports Minister/Chairman National Sports Commission Ibrahim Bio said he was delighted by Mobil’s sincere involvement in the sponsorship of sports in the country.

Students at AKS/NNPC/MPN Schools Athletics Championship in Akwa Ibom State

Represented by a director in the Ministry, the minister who regretted his inability to be physical present since he was out of the country, said he has been following with keen interest the progress of the unique championship that has clocked ten.

“ I am now calling on other corporate concerns to tow the line of Mobil in helping us to discover young stars in all our sports.” He said.

The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Chief Solomon Ogba in his speech, said he was delighted with what MPN has done especially as regards the grass root competition.

“ At a time that nearly everybody is running to the sponsorship of football, we are grateful to companies like Mobil for staying with Athletics, not only staying but staying well” he said.

Chief Ogba who graced the event in the company of his secretary general Mrs Maria Wophill said he was delighted with the quality of potentials on display and promised the full involvement of the AFN in monitoring and exposing such potentials.

“ I am aware that we have discovered some stars from here, but I am convinced that in ten years we could have done better that is why I am pledging the full involvement of the AFN in tracking the competition from now on”, he said.

In an earlier address, the sponsors through Mr. Mark Ward, MD, Mobil Producing Nigeria, had reaffirmed commitment to the championship.

Represented by Mr. David Findley, an executive Director, he said the Schools Athletics Championship is part of the NNPC/MPN Joint Venture youth and community Development initiative and it mirrors the Nigeria/NNPC/Mobil Track and Field Championship which the Joint Venture has been sponsoring for over two decades now.

“ The AKS/NNPC/MPN Schools Athletics Championship is aimed at discovering budding talents at the grass roots and is open to all public and private schools in Akwa Ibom State. While it provides a good platform for the discovery of talents it is also a healthy engagement for the youths especially since sports is a unifying factor in human relations.” Mr. Ward explained

Ikot Ekpene Zone toppled defending champion Eket by clinching the first position with eight gold, two silver and seven bronze medals. Eket came second with five gold, six silver and seven bronze medals while Uyo zone placed third with five gold, four silver and four bronze medals.
Eight zones competed in the championship.