NAN-S-14
Cycling
By Vezi Isike
Lagos, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) Oluwaseun Adebakin, an Ogun-based cyclist on Wednesday appealed to the Nigerian Cycling Federation (NCF) to seek for individual and corporate sponsorships to develop the sport.
Adebakin told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that cyclists were not making any headway in the country because they lack basic infrastructure to enhance their skills.
According to him, the NCF had been lethargic in ensuring that the sport gets sponsorships, especially from brands to organise tournaments regularly.
“Cycling in Nigeria has suffered setbacks till date because the NCF is not doing enough to ensure the sport progresses.
“In Nigeria, you can barely count 10 states that have standard cycling lanes not to even talk of having Velodromes,’’ he said.
Adebakin said the essence of the federations was to figure out how it they proffer solutions to issues in the sport they are responsible for.
“Let’s see the federation carry out their functions at least that is what they are in office for,’’ he said.
Adebakin hailed the Lagos State Government for its roles in ensuring that the sport got recognition and appealed to other states to follow by sponsoring cycling tournaments.
He added that Lagos State was one among the lot that sponsored sports not minding if it was popular or not.
“The best way to promote or get people truly interested in a particular sport is to create regular tournaments for professionals and amateurs to compete.
“It will not only be a common ground for veterans and novices to lock horns but also an avenue to intrigue onlookers to tag along,’’ he said.
The cyclist added that he was confident in the skills and strength of Nigerian athletes who would honour to the country if given the needed support.
“So far, our greatest challenge with sports in Nigeria is negligence, even in the most supported of sports.
“If this unpleasant attitude continues to trail the authorities in charge, sports in Nigeria will remain stunted,’’ he noted. (NAN)
VOI/KOLE/PDE
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(Edited by Remi Koleoso/Peter Ejiofor)