The Group Managing Director (GMD), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Mele Kyari, says the corporation will continue to give attention to sporting activities, to foster unity among workers in the oil and gas industry.
Kyari spoke on Saturday at the finals of the 18th Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games (NOGIG) held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere.
The 2020 NOGIG tagged; “Celebrating Champions in the Oil and Gas Industry” started on February 23.
Kyari said that the games, from past experience, had helped in achieving more friendship, sportsmanship and networking.
“Looking at the amount and quality of time, interface, logistics, facilities and the general coordination of sportsmen and women across the entire Oil and Gas industry, I can confidently say that it is a huge feat.
“I understand that since 1986 when this competition was started by group of sportsmen and women in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, the biennial tournament has grown to become formidable platform for promotion of healthy competition.
“Although there is a stiff competition, the underlying principle of games has always been hinged on exhibiting friendship, sportsmanship and networking, where fruitful partnership and collaboration are taken beyond showpiece.
“I would like to assure that NNPC will always identify with lofty ideals of this games which are not just mere participation, but fostering unity and cordial relationships across Oil and Gas industry,” he said.
NNPC football team defeated the DPR 2-0 in the final match played in the main bowl of the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
The NNPC, Chevron, Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Department of Petroleum Resources, (DPR) ENI Agip, Exxon Mobil, Eroton Exploration and Production and Seplat were among participants in the games.
Others who took part are TOTAL, Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, (LNG) and Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The one-week competition was in 13 sports: Swimming, Chess, Scrabble, Pool, Tennis, Table Tennis, Athletics, Volleyball, Football, Golf, Badminton, Basketball, and Squash.
Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, (LSSC), Sola Ayepeku, who represented the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu-Olu, and several captains of industry in the Oil and Gas industry, were among dignitaries at the final event.
