The two hundred athletes from various secondary schools in the three senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom State, who participated in the 2014 NNPC/Mobil Joint Venture sporting events, have arrived Lutheran High School, Obot Idim in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of the state, for a two-week holiday training camp, sponsored by Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN).

The training, holding at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, the Nest of Champions, Uyo, attracts seven top national coaches, led by the President of the National Athletics Coach, Mr. Gabriel Okon, while the 200 athletes who stormed the nest of champions till August 29, 2015, are made possible by the Mobil Producing Nigeria “to ensure that they have the knowhow of track and field events at their fingertips for optimum performance.”

The consultant of the event, Mr. Paul Bassey, gave the names of the national coaches as Musa Nuhu, who would take care of long distance race, Solomon Abasi, for middle distances, Ken Onuagunhuchi, drills the athletes on throws, while Prof. Ogunjumi, Amelia Edet, Utitofon Nkanta and George Abadomi, are in charge of sprint.

Bassey disclosed that “the fortunate students, who excelled in the 14th edition of the championship” are expected to be put through modern tactics of the various events, to sharpen their skills for enhanced future performance.

They are also to benefit from sports kits, including track suits, track shoes, canvasses and sports wears, courtesy of MPN, he said.

According to the programme consultant, “The last time the exercise was held in 2013 at the U. J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, Cross River State, a crop of young talented athletes were discovered, who went on to make Akwa Ibom State proud at the National Youth Games in Abuja, including Aniekeme Alphonsus and Comfort Anietie.”

Some of the campers, who are billed to train two times daily, expressed appreciations to Mobil and Mr. Paul Bassey, for providing them an avenue to train to update their skills in various sports, promising that they would live up to the expectations of the training.

•Photo shows event consultant Paul Bassey.

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