Participants in the two-week Athletics Holiday Camping and Training programme sponsored by Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) at the weekend begged the sponsors to sustain the programme that has helped their aspirations as top athletes.

Speaking on behalf of the athletes, Jesse Nicholas Timothy, went emotional when he descended on his knees, begging the state government and the sponsors to ensure that the programme is sustained.

“We have benefitted so much from this programme, not only from the sports point of view, but even from the morals angle. Our stay in camp has been so beneficial that we are pleading that this programme be sustained,” he said.

In his speech, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Education, Aniekan Akpan, lauded Mobil and NNPC for facilitating such a laudable programme that has benefitted the youths of the state. He expressed satisfaction with the programme and promised that Government will do everything possible to make sure that the gains of the programme are maximized.

“Our sports loving governor has already put a blue print in place for the propagation of sports ideals in the state especially in the area of grass roots sports development, and what we have today is clearly in that direction,” he said.

As part of the closing ceremony, certificates and awards were given to deserving students, with Esther Sunday and Abang Edet Effiong rated as the most improved female and male athletes respectively, while Maria Clement and Jesse Nicholas were voted the best behaved athletes respectively.