THE University of Mindanao (UM), Inc., and Run Out of Poverty (Roop) sealed a partnership to boost their respective track and field programs.

UM, Inc. president Guillermo P. Torres, Jr. and Roop founder Anthony Charles Benson, an Olympian runner, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA), Saturday, September 29, at the UM Track and Field Oval in Maa, Davao City with Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez as one of the witnesses.

The MOA states that UM and Roop have a common interest to develop track and field athletes.

Thus, UM offered Roop free use of its track and field oval to their children members and in exchange, Benson will train and coach UM's track and field athletes.

However, schedule on the use of facilities may be arranged and agreed upon by both parties from time to time.

Benson, a Level 5 Australian coach, shall provide training and coaching services to UM's track and field team and coaching staff on days and times that both parties will agree on.

UM, meanwhile, agrees to give athletic scholarship opportunities to Roop athletes should they wish to enroll in its Senior High School and College programs, "provided that they pass other criteria that may be imposed by the Universit or agreen upon by the parties, from time to time".

Roop, for its part, shall report to UM's athletic department and coaches before it uses the facilities as a matter of procedure. But in any accident that may befell Roop's athletes, UM shall not be held liable, the MOA provides.

The MOA is renewable upon its expiration by mutual agreement.

UM used to dominated track and field events for several years but their star tracksters graduated already.