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10 Nigeria’s Cyclists Departs For 2020 CAC Track Championship In Egypt

Published

6 years ago

January 9, 2020

…As NCF promises better outing

JOEL AJAYI

Nigeria’s contingient to the 2020 Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) Track Championship in Cairo, Egypt will depart the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja on Tuesday, 14th January.

The delegation, which is made up of Four Male, Six Female Cyclists who participated and won medals at South Africa in 2019, Two coaches, One Mechanic will be led by the President of the federation Engr. Giandomenico Massari to the tournament.

The Cyclists who have been in Camp since 10th of December last year is expected to depart country on Tuesday for the Continental showpiece slated for 16th to 19th January in Pharaoh country.

Speaking on Thursday on the prepraredness of the team, the President Engr. Massari hinted that, team Nigeria will compete better in Cairo when the tournament kick off.

According to him, as we you can see we are set for the tournament, the team is getting better day by day and in this year we are aim for the best.

“Five of the Cyclists that will travel to Cairo, three female and two male, went for a very intensive training in South Africa from 11th of December till 28th of December where they have opportunity to compete at some races and they did very well, the female team came first, second, and third while male came second position.

Unfortunately, on the track category event that Nigeria are to compete, we are novice, we are new, we just started last year, but all I know is that we are ready for the competition.

“We have a very good chances because we have expose our team to the world.”

“We are on top gear to achieve very good result during the Championship. As you know we are not just starting the Cycling, we have recorded some achievements in the Africa and even in the world and we want to build on that this year to achieve more.” He boasted.

Also, the NCF President said that the impact of the trip to Germany last year indeed have impact on the team.

He commended the young team for holding their at the world stage, despite inexperience of the team on the track.

“The outing was a good exposure for the team and the lessons learnt is not giving the team the edge and how to prepare the team better for greater achievement.”

Engr. Massari, however called on corporate sponsors to come and invest in Cycling sports to take the sports to the next level.

On his own, Coach Emmanuel Onasanya said that team Nigeria is going to have the best outing in Cairo because federation have provides all needed equipments to compete better.

According to him out of 10 events, Team Nigeria is going to participate in the Eight events which includes; Sprint; Individual Pursuit; Team Pursuit; Kerin; Madison; Ominion; 500 meters for female and I kilo for male; Point race and Scrash race.

“We are going to put in our best” He assured.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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