The Cycling Federation of Nigeria (CFN) says Nigeria is doing well at the ongoing 2021 Tissot International Cycling Union (UCI) Championship in Cali, Colombia.

Caretaker committee chairman of CFN, Giandomenico Massari, made this known Saturday while congratulating Nigerian female track cyclists taking part in the event.

“We are acquiring points, and the Olympic qualification is based on continent and in Africa, for now, we (Nigeria) are leading. We have two African countries participating, Nigeria and South Africa.

“Although Nigeria is not as experienced as the other countries that have decades of experience, it is doing well. This is our first appearance in the UCI Track Cycling Championship… We are only participating in the women’s categories,” Mr Massari said.

He disclosed that four female riders, Tawakalitu Yekeen, Mary Samuel, Grace Ayuba and Ese Ukpeseraye, were representing Nigeria.

According to Mr Massari, even though Nigeria started participating in the sport in 2018, it is better than some teams with decades of experience.

He said Nigeria’s initial target was to qualify to participate in the Colombia tournament and has achieved that target.

The ongoing 2021 Tissot UCI Track Cycling Nations Cup championship in Colombia commenced September 9 and is expected to end on September 13.

He expressed the hope that Nigeria would come back successful.

The 2021 Tissot UCI track cycling championship in Colombia comes in the build-up to next month’s UCI Track World Championships billed for Roubaix, France, from October 20 to October 24.

He said Nigeria would also take part in the France championship.

Some participating countries in the Colombia women cycling event are Belgium, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Costa Rica, Barbados, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Malaysia, Mexico, Ukraine, US, Uzbekistan and Poland.