By Amaechi Agbo

Nigeria, Sunday, emerged champions of the maiden edition of the Africa Cup-Track 2019 Cycling Championship held at the Velodrome, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

The three-day event saw 9 African countries slug it out for the top position which also served as 2020 Olympic qualifiers.

Nine countries Egypt, Morocco, Burundi, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Benin and host Nigeria took part in the championship.

The Nigeria contingents, made up of 21 cyclists of both female and male, garnered a total of 51 medals made up 21 goal, 18 silver and 12 bronze medals to emerge champions. They are followed by Egypt who came second winning 8 gold, 7 silver and 7 bronze medals.

Another North Africa side, Morocco came third with won 4 gold and 3 silver medals. Burkina took 4^th position with 3 silver, 5 bronze whereas Burundi came 5th with 2 bronze. Nigeria’s neighbour, Ghana placed sixth with a bronze medal.

Liberia, Ivory Coast and Benin had no medal for their efforts.

The three-day Championship was almost marred by accident in the female race when Olympian athlete from Egypt Eltissam Zayed impeded Nigerian star Ese Ukpeseraye towards the end of the race. The two cyclists were immediately rushed to the hospital via the Federal Road Safety Commission’s ambulance on standby.

Coach of the Nigeria team, Emmanuel Onasanya told Best Choice Sports after the championship that the duo were in stable condition but did not give further details. Egyptian coach also confirmed that Zayed was in the hospital too but added that they have not received further information concerning their condition.

Speaking after the inaugural championship, President, Cycling Federation of Nigeria, CFN, Giandomenico Massari expressed joy at the success of the tournament and confirmed that the President of the African Cycling Confederation, CAC, Dr. Mohamed Wagih Azzam has informed him that Nigeria should be ready to host the 2^nd edition of the completion in 2021. Mr Massariwho was all smile at the request by the CAC President for Nigeria to host the 2^nd edition however expressed worry that the federation cannot wholly host the event without sponsors.   

The CFN boss also hailed the Nigerian athletes for putting up a superlative performance while commending his Board for ensuring a hitch-free organisation of the event.

“My athletes performed beyond expectation. Winning 21 gold medals with a short period of preparation and training is not a mean 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’, Massari said.

On his part, Coach Emmanuel Onasanya rated the performance of the Nigerian cyclists high but warned that much work needed to be done in order to get them ready ahead of international competitions.

“They performed very well but do not forget that we are just first times in this event and this is the first time we are making use of the facility at the velodrome. It is my earnest hope that Nigeria is going to make use of these talents discovered here but they are work in progress.

“They need exposure, this championship is not enough to measure their performance. We should be able to continue to expose them and I tell you in no time, they will rule the world.

“Nigeria will participate in cycling in Africa Games but there will be no track event there. Our cyclists for the Africa Games are in camp already in Gombe.

“One important thing you should not take away from this championship is the fact that it has launched cycling in Nigeria. A lot of people who have not seen it live before but only watch it on TV have been able to explore the game. Now they have seen it, a lot talents will be discovered because we are expecting their response,” he said.