Kaduna Cycling Association Plans Monthly Races

 

By Atlantic Reports

The Kaduna State Cycling Association plans to introduce monthly races to improve cyclists’ performance and bring more young people into the sport.

The association’s team manager, Samila Usman, disclosed the proposal in an interview on Monday in Kaduna, saying regular competition would help athletes train consistently and develop skills that are difficult to master through individual practice alone.

“These monthly races help in developing the performance of the athletes and also bring youth into the cycling sport,” he said.

Usman said a recurring race would give cyclists a clear training target and opportunities to assess their endurance, pacing and progress.

He explained that competitive cycling required skills such as drafting, cornering within a group and tactical positioning. Drafting involves riding behind another cyclist to reduce wind resistance.

“Frequent racing allows cyclists to test strategies, learn from mistakes, and improve much faster than they would through solo training,” he said.

Usman also argued that a monthly schedule would reduce long gaps between competitions and help sustain athletes’ motivation throughout the year.

The association has not announced a starting date, race routes, entry requirements or a confirmed funding arrangement.

Usman appealed to individuals, businesses and other stakeholders to sponsor the proposed competition, citing regular cycling events in other parts of the country as examples.

He said Kaduna’s team secured podium finishes at the recently concluded Abuja National Cycling Championship. However, he did not provide a medal tally, identify the medallists or specify the categories in which they competed.

Usman attributed the team’s performance to grassroots development, saying Kaduna had produced cyclists who represented Nigeria at international competitions.

He expressed confidence that regular races could strengthen that tradition and improve the state’s competitiveness nationally.

He also thanked Governor Uba Sani and the state Commissioner for Sports for supporting the team’s participation in the Abuja championship.

For emerging cyclists, the proposed series would offer more opportunities to gain competitive experience close to home. Its delivery will depend on securing sponsorship and establishing a reliable race calendar, with appropriate arrangements for route safety and event management.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.