Yemisi Izuora
The Lagos State Government has promised to give adequate support this year’s Cycling Lagos event scheduled to hold on August 25, 2018.
Speaking at a World Press Conference to unveil programmes for the international cycling event promised to be one of the biggest sports, tourism and entertainment events in Nigeria and the entire Africa continent, the Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr Kweku Adebayo Tandoh said, ” Lagos State Government will support in whatever way we can to ensure that the organisers are able to achieve the goal of the event, in the area of traffic management, security, medical supports.”
He added that “Looking at Cycling, it serves more than just being a competitive sport, you have to look at the health, fitness and general wellbeing of the people which is what we are trying to promote in Lagos.”
Chairman, Cycling Lagos, Mr. Soji Adeleye said at the press conference that various exciting activities were built around the main event scheduled for August 25 to add value to the property and enhance the development of the cycling culture in Nigeria even from early age.
He said the program which is expected to become an annual event was designed for cycling enthusiasts, professionals, corporate organisations and children in the country.
He said the events will transverse an engaging 2 months of activities between July 7th and August 25th, 2018. It will also involve a complete 4 months Online and Offline Media sensitisation campaign.
“Activities for the two months programme will include; Riding Tour of Lagos which will involve a Mini Promotion Rally in selected locations across the State, the Lagos Cycling Children Summer Clinic, a platform for Grooming/Talent Discovery will hold from July 28th – August 18th, 2018 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere. The Children Edition of the race will be held on Saturday August 18 at the stadium,” he said.
He explained that the Cycling Clinic/ Brand Exhibition and Entertainment, a platform for Bicycle Exhibition, Corporate Product/ brands Exhibition for corporate sponsors and acrobatic display for entertainment will be held from July 28th August 25th, 2018 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos.
“This will climax with the grand finale of the cycling competition and corporate Lagos Dinner on Saturday August 25th, 2018. The competition will involve over 1,000 Cyclists from within and outside the country,” he said.
“Lagos State is the commercial nerve centre of the country and with the massive campaign built around the event, it is expected to further rob-on positively on the image and brand messages of our partners.”
Adeleye noted that the event had been divided into six categories: Corporate race, Celebrity race, Club & Associations race, Amateur race, Children race and Professional race to accommodate all interested participants.
“Beyond the central idea of encouraging healthy living through regular exercise among corporate executives, the event will champion healthy competition among corporate organisations. The organisations through their participation are to encourage the general public to engage in cycling in their various communities for healthy living. Corporate organisations through their representatives will also compete for medals at the annual competition. It will also provide a platform for talent discovery and grooming (Children and Youth Participation,”