Cross River State Cycling Classic Championship 2024: a Success In Preparation For The National Sports Festival

BY ETTAH EMMANUEL O.

The Cross River State Cycling Association successfully hosted the 2nd edition of the Cross River State Cycling Classic Championship, held at the New Roundabout Murtala Muhammad Highway in Calabar. This event is a crucial part of the preparations for the National Sports Festival set to take place in Ogun in 2025.

Sponsored by Commodore M. Ide, the Deputy Commandant of the Naval War College Calabar, the championship showcased a variety of categories, including veterans, competitive cyclists, and female participants. The event not only highlighted the talent within the state but also fostered a spirit of sportsmanship and community.

The event was sponsored by Commodore M. IDE, the Deputy commandant of Naval War College Calabar. These are the results of the three categories of the rides:

ELITE CATEGORY: ( DISTANCE 40.2 KILOMETERS) 
• 1st Place: Samson Samuel with the time of: 1:14'41sec
• 2nd Place: Josiah Monday with the time of:  1:14'42sec
• 3rd Place: Okechukwu Nwosu with the time of:1:14'44sec

BMX BIKE (5 KM) 
• Franklin Micheal - 1st 
• ⁠David Edem - 2nd 
• ⁠Emmanuel Micheal - 3rd 
• ⁠Joshua Effiong- 4th
• ⁠David Edet - 5th

MOUNTAIN BIKE ( 11 KILOMETERS) 
• Joel Offiong - 1st 
• ⁠David Anelka - 2nd 
• ⁠Abel Paul - 3rd
• ⁠Miracle Monday 4th
• ⁠Precious Tommy

The presence of Mr. Lawrence Etta, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Cross River State, added prestige to the event. Etta expressed his admiration for the cyclists and the event's organization. He praised Commodore Ide for his generous sponsorship, particularly in light of the state's commitment to excelling in the upcoming National Sports Festival. Etta noted the achievement of the team, which recently secured a silver medal at the National Youth Games in Asaba, further highlighting the talent within the state.

As the event concluded, medals were presented to all winners by Commodore Ide, who encouraged the cyclists to gear up for an even more significant competition next year. The sense of pride and accomplishment was palpable as participants left the event motivated to continue their training and strive for excellence.

The Cross River State Cycling Classic Championship not only serves as a platform for emerging talent but also plays a vital role in uniting the cycling community as they prepare for future competitions. With the support of dedicated sponsors and officials, the future of cycling in Cross River State looks promising.