NSC Swears In New President Of Cycling Federation, Emphasizes Commitment To Sports Development

September 25, 2025 news-admin 0 Comments

Sports Correspondent

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko, has officially sworn in the newly elected President and Board members of the Cycling Federation of Nigeria (CFN).

He urged the leadership to prioritize the growth and promotion of cycling as a significant sport in the country.

The swearing-in ceremony followed the elections held on Sunday, which resulted in the formation of a 17-member board tasked with overseeing the Federation’s activities for the next four years.

During the oath of office administration, Dikko congratulated the new leadership and underscored the crucial role of sports federations in nurturing talent, enhancing grassroots participation, and fostering national unity.

“On behalf of the NSC and President Bola Tinubu, I extend my congratulations and remind you of the national agenda to reset and refocus on the development of sports in Nigeria. The mandate before you is clear: to transform cycling into a sport that inspires youth, engages communities, and represents our nation proudly on international stages,” Dikko stated.

He further encouraged the Federation to collaborate with stakeholders, attract private sector investment, and uphold transparency and accountability in its operations.

“The NSC will not interfere with any Federation. Our goal is to support and develop sports, elevating each discipline to new heights. Cycling is one of the federations with some of the best facilities, and it is essential that we maximize these resources for the benefit of Nigerians. We must also make sports appealing to investors,” he added.

Dikko also urged the new board members to focus on grassroots development, adopt an open-door policy, and ensure that more athletes are engaged in cycling through sustained awareness and outreach efforts.

In his remarks, the newly elected President of the CFN, Engr. Chief Giandomenico Massari, committed to working diligently to expand opportunities for young cyclists across the nation.

“We are just beginning, and we are carefully planning for the future. I firmly believe in strategic planning over impulsive actions. My current focus is on uniting all stakeholders and supporters of this sport. With unity, we can achieve our objectives,” Massari stated.

He highlighted the Federation’s recent accomplishments, noting that Nigeria has qualified at the continental level, winning several medals, particularly in the female category, and, for the first time, secured qualifications for the World Championships in both track and road events.

Additionally, he explained that Nigeria also made history by participating in the Olympics for the first time in both road and track cycling.

While acknowledging the challenges faced by the male category, Massari assured that efforts would be intensified to close the performance gap. “Our riders are talented, but the competition is fierce. With increased dedication and investment, we will bridge this gap. For the women, we have already achieved significant milestones, including Olympic qualification,” he remarked.

Looking ahead, the CFN President announced that Nigeria has been awarded the hosting rights for the African Track Championship next year.

He, however, noted that once the velodrome is fully completed and certified by the UCI, Nigeria would be well-positioned to host international competitions beyond the continent.

The newly elected board members include:

– Chief Giandomenico Massari (President)

– Dr. Ago Habu Abdurahaman (1st Vice President)

– Dr. Amidu James Iye Mohammed (2nd Vice President)

– Dr. Igbinosa Emmanuel

– Mohammed Bashir

– Mr. Patrick Omorodion

– DCI Farouk Umar Abdullahi

– Brig. Gen. A.R. Bello

– Miss Sally Ogana

– Mr. Ajibike Julius Babatunde

– Hon. Sulaiman Ahmed Muduru