By Benedict Nwachukwu, Abuja
—45 Coaches, Commissars Too
As preparations gear up for the maiden Africa Track Cycling Championship (Africa Cup) billed for the state of the art Velodrome Complex of the Abuja National Stadium, the city will today host over 100 cyclists, 20 coaches and 25 cycling commissars ( referees) from Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic during a 2-week long intensive Training/ Selection process organized by the Cycling Federation of Nigeria (CFN)
The three days Maiden Africa Cup has been scheduled for 26, 27 and 28 of July, 2019.
President of the host federation, Cycling Federation of Nigeria( CFN), Engr. Giadomenico Massari, who disclosed this at the weekend, said the training/selection camp has become necessary given that track Cycling is relatively new for countries in the subregion.
He noted that the training/selection programme will also serve as preparation for other engagement of the federation, such as the World Junior Track Championship ( Male/Female), the Elite version of the championship and the All Africa Games (Track) .
The President further noted that Ghana and Benin Republic have already accepted invitation out of all West African invited to participate in the programme.
“It is a massive 3- level event wholly sponsored by the federation. We are providing accommodation, feeding and local transportation for participants. We are also drawing from our own local resource in terms of technical support. Dr. Emmanuel Igbinosa who recently bagged his certificate as UCI certified Instructor/Commissar (Track/Road Cycling) will be on hand to train the commissars while Coach Bashiru Mohammed will handle the coaches.
He will be assisted by senior coaches in the selection which will be done by elimination”, said Chief Massari.
However the CFN President bemoaned the lack of government support in meeting some of the requirements for certification of the velodrome ahead of the Africa Cup which is barely two months away.
He said the requirement for provision of inside perimeter fence in the velodrome, for instance has not been done., even though the sports ministry continues to give assurance.
“Another challenge we have is equipment. Presently we do not have track cycles and this is very important. We have continued to improvise , using what we have but that only slows the pace for us. We have had promises from European/ UCI to support the center with 25 track cycles but it has not materialised. We need track cycles urgently to get our athletes ready for these coming events “, he cried out.
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