“We Must Support Grassroots Cycling To Find New Talent,” Says Akpana

“We Must Support Grassroots Cycling To Find New Talent,” Says Akpana

Iboroma Akpana, a cycling enthusiast and managing partner of Solola and Akpana, has called for support of grassroots sports development especially cycling across the country.

He spoke recently during the Pitstop Lagos August 2024 criterium held in his honour to mark his 60th birthday anniversary.

The criterium tagged “60 for 60KM race” saw Innocent Emmanuel emerging as the winner, while Bassey Okon and Zakariyu Faruq emerged as second and third respectively.

Other winners include Diepreye Jackbara (4th), and Chisom Oveh (5th). The various winners were rewarded with cash prizes.

Iboroma, an Independent Non-Executive Director at Access Bank Plc, emphasised that cycling should not be seen as an elitist sport but should be viewed from the grassroots lens to develop more talents across the country.

He said: “When you turn 60, it is the diamond jubilee. The aging process is a natural thing. I’m identified in the cycling community (Pitstop Lagos). I’ve been involved in grassroots cycling for over 20 years. As long as we do not turn cycling into an elitist sport, we are bound to find exceptional athletes/cyclists at the grassroots.

“Eritea has a grassroots programme for its athletes. That’s why they are a strong country. We need to create a local programme and more academies just like PitStop Lagos. Cycling has direct relevance to healthcare and general productivity.

Popularly called the People’s Elder, Iboroma said: “We’ve adopted a model in the PitStop community where the sport is built around the athletes. In the meantime, we need to replicate the PitStop community idea across states of the country, thereby opening up the sport more. I’m extremely delighted to the community, and it is humbling to have the criterium held in my honour.”

Speaking about the celebrant, Ms. Temidayo Taylor said: “The celebrant is a mentor to many of us, myself and the Pitstop community where I belong. He is a selfless person and a man of character.

“He has influenced a lot of things about my life – professionally, career-wise, and all. He is just a wonderful person, a father figure, and a generous person.”