ExxonMobil withdraws from Track and Field

ExxonMobil spokesperson Rita Umoren, said at a crowded press conference in Lagos that the company was "moving on to other spheres" of human endeavour and would stop sponsoring the athletics meet after the 2006 edition.

 "After sponsoring the Nigeria-Mobil Track and Field Championships for these past 15 years, we have decided to move on to other spheres of endeavour. And for this reason, ExxonMobil will no longer be responsible for this championship after the next edition," Umoren said. It was no 'sweet song' for the bosses of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria. President of AFN Dan Ngerem, regretted the withdrawal of ExxonMobil after "such a glorious partnership spanning 15 years.

We wish they should remain, but it is a decision they have painfully made, and we would accept it with much pains." Chairman of the federation's technical committee Alhaji Abdulkarim Amu, traced the relationship between the American oil conglomerate and Nigerian athletics to the 1990 season. "In 1990, a new chapter was opened in the annals of Nigerian athletics.

The 46th edition of the All Nigeria Senior Open Championships was sponsored by Mobil and organised professionally under a new name - the 1st Nigeria-Mobil National Track and Field Championships with fanfare and grandeur," Amu said. He tells nigeriasports.com the sponsorship amounted to USD30,000 in local currency.

He stated that "the Nigeria-Mobil was the pinnacle of annual national athletics championships and selection Trials for selecting the best Nigerian athletes to represent it in major International meets like the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, All Africa Games, World and Africa Championships." But Ms. Umoren tells nigeriasports.com ExxonMobil's decision to pull out of the annual event does not mean a "total withdrawal from sports.

We are still very much into grassroots development and this we want to concentrate properly. We would also come into the Championships, but not necessarily as 'Title Sponsors,' but in other capacity as properbly collaboration with other sponsors." ExxonMobil has budgeted the sum of USD72,000 (approximately) in local currency for this year's edition coming up July 8-10 at the Abuja National Stadium.

It is meant for the selection of athletes for the Athens2004 Olympics. The company is also involved in a grassroots track and field competition at it's field operations area in Eket, Akwa Ibom state south east Nigeria.

By Joe van Miebi nigeriasports.com