Sports

Cycling Federation Rolls Out 2023 Programs, Promises To Raise Cycling Standard

Published

4 years ago

January 12, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The Cycling Federation of Nigeria CFN has rolled out its robust programmes for the year 2023 as it promised to raise the standard of cycling sports in Nigeria.

President of the CFN Engr. Chief Giandomenico Massari while addressing journalists on Wednesday in Abuja highlighted activities for the year 2023, he revealed that despite the lack of funds in the previous years, the federation recorded notable achievements, as Nigeria is ranked number one in Africa.

He however assured the federation is more determined to record more successes this year, urging the private sector for sponsorship.

According to him, we tried our best last year to ensure we grow more sports, this year will not be different, the federation is more determined to do more.

As for this year, the federation will participate at the forthcoming Africa Road Championship in Ghana hopefully, we are going with a team of male and female for the Junior and Elite category from 8th to 14th February 2023, the camping will start soon.

“Thereafter, we will start another preparation for two events that will come up in Cairo Egypt which Nations Cup and Africa Cycling Championship slated for 4th to 14th of March 2023, this is very important because we have to get more score to add to the points, we have last year to qualify for the World Championship in Glasgow Scotland.

“From there, we will try to organize some event locally, and do some races in the Elite and some in motor bike,

“And if we get the sponsor, we will do the National Track Competition that will take place in Abuja. There are many events and we are trying to concentrate on how we can do them all.”

Speaking further, CFN President said the most challenging aspect of the Federation is finances: “We don’t have sponsors, we are trying to attract sponsor from the private sector, if you are hoping for a government, it might not work on time because the government is struggling for themselves to run the affairs of the government. So, for that reason, we need more sponsors from the private sector.

“We want to raise the standard of Cycling sports in Nigeria, that is why, we are not concentrating on nurturing athletes alone, it encompasses every aspect of Cycling, the Coaches, Referee, Mechanic and others.”

He is optimistic that Nigeria will still qualify for the 2024 Olympic in France if the country can attend more international competitions where they will get more points that will qualify team Nigeria.

“We are still continuing, and we are rising, but the more events we participate in, the better chance we get, we had very good points last year, we need to build on it.

“Our major competitors is South Africa and Egypt, they are not sleeping this means, we have to participate in more international competition that will be held in different continents and this cost is much, the traveling, ticket, feeding, accommodations and all the necessary things that we require, that is why, I said earlier that finances is very important.”

He expressed that with the type of good athletes Nigeria has especially females, Nigeria has an easy way of going to the Olympics.

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Sports

Flamingos’ Historic World Cup Feat Draws Musawa’s Commendation

Published

17 hours ago

November 8, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat to claim Nigeria’s first title in the competition and make history as the first African nation to win the tournament.

Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria the lead in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku extended the advantage two minutes after the restart. Japan’s Fuki Ito reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian girls held on to secure a memorable victory.

In a congratulatory message was signed by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze on Sunday in Abuja, Musawa described the achievement as a defining moment for Nigeria and a significant milestone for African women’s football, attributing the success to the team’s resilience, talent and determination.

“This is more than a trophy. It is a story of young Nigerian girls who refused to give up, who rose after defeat, and who carried the hopes of a continent to the top of the world,” she said.

The Minister noted that the Flamingos had broken new ground by becoming the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Nigeria also became the first African country to win both the men’s and women’s U-17 World Cup titles.

The team further achieved another remarkable feat by becoming the first side in the competition’s history to lose its opening match and eventually emerge champions.

Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Poland in their opening group-stage encounter, the Flamingos recovered impressively, recording six consecutive victories to lift the trophy.

Musawa particularly praised Umejiaku, who claimed the tournament’s Golden Ball award as the best player, and Bashiru for their crucial contributions in the final.

She also commended the entire squad for their discipline, teamwork and determination throughout the competition.

According to her, the victory demonstrates the creativity, courage and excellence of Nigerian youths on the global stage.

The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to celebrating and promoting the achievements and inspiring stories of young Nigerians who continue to bring honour to the country.

“Our girls have shown the world what Nigeria is made of. We celebrate you today, and we will continue to stand with you,” she added.

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