The National Sports Commission and the Cycling Federation of Nigeria have reached an agreement with the British Cycling Association to enable Nigerian cyclists train in Manchester, ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Nigeria will join other Commonwealth nations at the Games, scheduled to hold from July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow, with cycling selected as one of the sports the country will compete in.
During a meeting held on Tuesday, a British Cycling Association delegation led by Commercial Strategy Manager Izza Ourzik discussed a three-pronged collaboration with the Cycling Federation of Nigeria, led by its president Giandomenico Massari, and the NSC. The partnership focuses on supporting the development of cycling in Nigeria, promoting a culture of fair competition in both the Olympics and Paralympics, and using cycling as a tool for social impact.
NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko assured the delegation of the commission’s support towards the actualisation of the set goals.
“Our job here is to provide the enablers for sports development in the country. We will make the soil fertile for well-meaning endeavours such as this to thrive. This collaboration will make our society better in the long term. Cycling is not just a sport in this country; you see bikes everywhere. For us, it is a way of life,” Dikko said.
He also sought the cooperation of all stakeholders involved in the partnership to make cycling less elitist.
“Cycling is often seen as an elitist sport, but that is not so. This is a populous nation with an abundance of talent. We must join forces to take this sport to schools and the grassroots and make it less elitist. Let’s take cycling to the people and let them own it,” he added.
Also speaking, NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade expressed the commission’s commitment to advancing cycling, highlighting both its sporting value and broader societal impact.
“At the Chef de Mission meeting in Glasgow, I was informed that cycling will be one of the sports to be competed in at the Commonwealth Games. I then liaised with the Cycling Federation of Nigeria and was told that we have huge prospects in the sport. I quickly contacted the Elite Athletes Development and Podium Board, and we decided to include cycling as one of the sports we will participate in at the Games,” Olopade said.
“I must point out that the CFN is one of the most vibrant federations we have. This collaboration with the British Cycling Association will help us render more support to this highly promising sport,” he concluded.
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