Ogun, Oyo Cyclists Dominate 3-Day Cycling Competition

 

The Champion, Bassey Bassong with Ogun state Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Kehinde Oludare and Commissioner for Transportation, Gbenga Dairo and Director, Sports Council, Mrs. Iyabode Rotimi 

Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji 

ABEOKUTA - Cyclists from both Ogun and Oyo states on Sunday emerged winners of the Cycling event organized by FT Cycle Care in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital. 

The event which attracted over 100 cyclists from Ogun, Oyo, Ondo and Lagos states saw Bassey Bassong from Ogun state emerged winner of the men 8kilometre race. 

The cyclists took off from Isale-Igbein bridge and race through Sapon, Itoku, Totoro, Oke-Sokori, Ibara enroute Omida market to the finishing point at Isale-Igbehin. 

Bassey Bassong who rides for Ogun state carried out a solo attack from the fourth lap of the 8km race and finished 1min. 45secs ahead of the Sakariyau Farouq also from Ogun state who sprinted past third-place finisher Ashiribo Olalekan of Oyo state. 

The champion, Bassey Bassong said, "I thank God for the race, it was successful. I try to make the Ogun state team proud. Four years ago I start doing sport. And it is all about determination, today, here I am making my team proud.

Bassey Bassong

"I'm so happy with the facility, that is, the road network. It was smooth and I have easy ride. The government is trying its possible best to support cycling. But I want the state and the national to make sure they develop cycling in Nigeria, and make sure we play international game so that we can be the best we want to be."

While speaking with newsmen, the Vice Chairman, Ogun State Cycling Association and organizer of the event, Mr. Thomas Femi expressed delight with the success of the event and the large turn out of the people.

Thomas expressed optimism that, the state would put machineries in motion to organize cycling tours where all national and international cyclists will storm the state.

He noted that, FT Cycle Care is setting up cycling academy which according to him  will expose potential talents in the state. 

"Yes, this event have come to stay because we have been doing it in Lagos and we believe that if we have been doing such thing in other people's land we should bring such thing to our own land because I am  from Ogun State.

"This is mission accomplished because it is a dream come true, seeing Ogun State which can have a forefront in sport and in cycling all over the world. And being able to achieve this is one of he greatest thing and joy of my life.

"We are looking forward to be able to organize cycling tours in Ogun State and invite international countries all over the world to come and participate. Because most of them have been yearning for a day to come to Nigeria in other to participate in any event and likewise in other to control and encourage the grassroot we are creating.

"So, we are setting up a cycling academy which is meant to take care of the potential talent and likewise being able to serve the purpose for the professionals in Nigeria."

In the female category, Durogbade Adejoke and Yekeen Tawakalt both from Oyo state came first and second while Oyebola Oluwabunmi from Lagos came third.