N1.6m scholarship excites Mobil Championship stars

THE news that over N1.6 million is up for grabs has excited students currently vying for top spots in the 14th AKS/NNPC/MPN Schools Athletics Championships billed for the Akwa Ibom International Stadium Uyo on Saturday.

  Briefing the students Wednesday at the camp venue opened to prepare them for the championship, the camp commandant, Dr. Lucia Ituen, informed them that in addition to the prospect of winning and laying a good foundation for themselves in track and field, there are immediate gains to be reaped.

  “Let me inform all of you that the sponsors of this programme, the NNPC/MPN Joint Venture have set aside over N1.6m cash as supplementary scholarship grant to those who will win their various events on Saturday. Every first prize winner is expected to go home with N30, 000 cash, second prize N20, 000 and third prize N 10, 000,” he said.

  As the students applauded, she added, “you can imagine one of you here winning three events and going home with N90, 000. That, if you ask me, is a lot of money.”

 The one-off scholarship grant was introduced to the programme 10 years ago to help the students with their academic challenges and to alleviate the burden on their parents.

  On Tuesday, the students reported to camp and it was a beehive of activities as they were accredited.    

  Wednesday, they were introduced to the tartan tracks of the new stadium under the tutelage of Professor Ogunjimi, Gabriel Okon, Utitofon Nkantah, Solomon Abari, Ofonbuk Okon and Daniel Umoette.

  After the initial loosening up, they were taken through the basics of track and field and how to use their spike shoes.

  In the afternoon session, lessons were conducted on how to set up starting blocks, among other things.

This training will continue this morning, while the heats and semifinals will hold on Friday.