The President, Nigeria Cycling Federation (NCF), Mr Giandvmenica Massari, has  said that his board would re-introduce the yearly national cycling championships in line with the African Cycling Confederation 9CAC0/UCI calendar.
Massari told newsmen in Abuja that  the championships would enable Nigerian cyclists not only to qualify for any competition but perform well at major international meets.
The president also assured Nigerians of his commitment to continue in his effort to see that the country secured the hosting right for the 2018 and 2019 West Africa and African Track Cycling Championships.
He noted that it was not in doubt that young cycling talents abound in Nigeria, adding, however, that lack of sponsorship had been the greatest challenge towards making progress.
The president said that the board would go on a sponsorship drive which would help the federation to acquire standard bicycles that could be effectively used to win laurels.
“I am looking forward to taking cycling which could be seen as one of the recreational sports to the grassroots level to be used as an exercise to keep the body healthy at all times.
“I will continue negotiations with Coloago and Bianchi manufacturing companies for the production of branded racing cycles to be supplied to the federation at a subsidised rate.
“These could be given to the cycling associations in all the states of the federation,” he said.
Massari, who is the immediate past vice-president of NCF, said that he would try as much as possible to reach out to the Union international governing body, Cyclists International (UCI) for technical assistance.
“UCI assistance is needed by the NCF, especially in the training and retraining of Nigerian coaches on modern techniques of the sport,” he said.
Massari, who doubles as the 1st vice-chairman of Rivers State Cycling Association, urged Nigerians as well as board members to give  him their maximum support so as to take cycling to greater heights.