Featured

Africa Cup Track Cycling Light-Up FCT, Raises Hope For Nigerians

Published

6 years ago

July 29, 2019

…as Team Nigeria top medal table with 41 medals

Joel Ajayi

It was three days of excitement, delight, enjoyment inside the World-class Velodrome complex inside the Mohsood Abiola National Stadium in the Nigeria’s Capital City when for the first time in history for an unrelentingly Cycling first ever competition took place courtesy of the Cycling Federation of Nigeria having staged the maiden edition of the Africa Cup Track Cycling where athletes from 9 countries in the continent competed for honour.

Cycling lovers were treated to the stupor inside the Velodrome Complex for the first time since its construction 16 years ago, at the Africa Track Cycling Championship.

The arena was another serene and different experience to the sports lovers compare to what they use to in football, volleyball basketball amongst others when Cyclists from African countries through ride displayed their skills of distinction, value, and excellence to treat crowd comprises of diplomatic in an unforgettable experience.

Indeed, the 3-day power-packed action competition showed that Nigeria has the men and women that can launch her in the global arena.

With little or no financial support coming from the government, the Cycling federation under the leadership of Engr. Giandomenico Massari has demonstrated that the games of Cycling have a lot of opportunity for Athletes, Nigerians and Africa, at large.

Meanwhile, the Cycling ring in FCT came alive with the arrival of eight Africa countries for the event which also serves as preparation for the forthcoming All Africa Games in Morocco.

The countries were the Host Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Cote D’Ivoire, Benin Republic, Ghana, and Burundi.

After familiarization with facilities in at the Velodrome for some days hostilities eventually on Friday’s 26^th of July 2019 started with needed eagerness.

On the first day, team Nigeria on Friday top the medal table with six gold, five silver and a bronze medal in the eight events that took place to mark the commencement of the championship.

Egypt followed with two gold medals, two silver, and three bronze in the championship.

However, on the last day of the event, the Team Nigeria topped the medals table with total 41 medals comprising 21 gold, 18 silver and 12 bronze medals in the overall result of the medals table.

Team Egypt won a total of four gold, six silver, and five bronze, while Burkina Faso won three silver, five bronze. Morocco won a total of four gold three silver.

Burundi won a total of two bronze medals and Ghana also won two bronze medals.

Speaking after three days of the event an ecstatic The President of Cycling Federation of Nigeria, Massari hailed the Nigerian athletes for putting up a superlative performance while commending his Board for ensuring a hitch-free organization of the event.

“My athletes have performed beyond expectation. Winning 21 gold medals with a short period of preparation is no little achievement by all standards. I am very happy and I am using this opportunity to thank Team Nigeria and my Board members for this great achievement. I am also grateful to the African body for having confidence in us to host this Championship.”

“It’s three days of excitement, of interesting and showcases the abundant talent Nigeria did very well in fact, beyond any expectations, I remembered many people were asking before the competition that what will be the expectations. I told them to wait and watch, I was hopeful of the event and today we thank God we had a wonderful competition

“This event will no doubt give the opportunity to many Nigeria, we have many talents in Nigeria particularly for cycling, and we have more potential to achieve success. Winning 20 gold medals it’s not an easy task.”

As for Nigeria Cyclist Abaka Kurotimi, said he was excited to see Nigeria hosting this championship, it will be a big slap on us to see other countries coming to pick medals in our territory.

“My target is to go for the Olympic and world championship and if I can get something better I will be grateful to God. The Africa Cup is just a starting point.”

Speaking also Clementine A young from Ghana who won bronze for her country, while speaking on the championship, said she had never dreamt of winning a medal in the championship.

‘’I am very happy with this success it is like a dream come true. I’m sure that my country and the Cycling Federation of Ghana will be proud of me.”

Meanwhile, the competition may have come and gone but the euphoria of the competition remains in the memories lane of all stakeholders in the continent of Africa as Cycling promises to raise Nigerian hope.

Share on Facebook

Featured

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

Published

6 days 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.

Share on Facebook