Abuja: Dr James Amidu, Vice-President of the Cycling Federation of Nigeria (CFN), has expressed concerns over outdated racing equipment hindering the performance of Nigeria’s cyclists at the ongoing 2026 African Track Cycling Championship in Abuja. Amidu highlighted the disadvantage faced by Nigerian cyclists, attributing it to the use of outdated bicycles compared to the advanced machines used by their continental rivals.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Amidu emphasized the significant technology gap between Nigerian cyclists and stronger African nations, which was evident on the track. He noted that while other countries compete with race-specific machines, Nigerian riders are left to compete using ordinary bicycles. This disparity in equipment quality has put Nigerian athletes at a disadvantage, impacting their ability to secure more medals.
Amidu pointed to the performances of South Africa and Egypt as evidence of the equipment-related challenges. South Africa claimed the majority of gold medals on Friday, and both Egypt and South Africa dominated Thursday’s events. He argued that the issue is not the superiority of the athletes but rather the lack of proper equipment, which forces Nigerian cyclists to improvise instead of competing on equal terms.
The CFN is making efforts to acquire modern racing bicycles to enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in future championships. However, Amidu noted that the official medal tally for the current championship is still being compiled, and the federation will release verified figures once the process is complete to avoid any misinformation.
Despite equipment limitations, Nigeria achieved remarkable success at the 3rd Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) Para Championship held from May 9 to May 11, winning 16 medals, including nine gold, five silver, and two bronze, topping the medal table ahead of Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, and Algeria. Amidu praised the resilience and potential of Nigerian para cyclists, stating that their success should inspire others to achieve even without the best equipment.
Amidu also highlighted challenges such as low spectator turnout and poor media coverage at the championship, attributing these issues to inadequate publicity. Notably, the National Sports Commission Chairman, Shehu Dikko, attended the championship on Friday for the first time, showing support for the event.
The African Track Cycling Championship in Abuja is in its final stages, with eight countries participating, including Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Algeria, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Benin Republic, and host nation Nigeria. The event, which began on May 11 and is set to conclude on May 17 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome, marks the 12th Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) Track Cycling Championships.