Nigerian Cycling Body Dismisses Ukpeseraye's Claims of Being Overlooked, Reports Patrick Omorodion

On Thursday, Patrick Omorodion represented the President of the Cycling Federation of Nigeria, Engr. Giadomenico Massari, at a press conference to address the false claims made by star cyclist and Olympian, Ese Ukpeseraye.

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The press conference, held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, aimed to set the record straight and provide concrete facts about the Federation's investment in Ukpeseraye's development, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

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Through the personal influence and financial support of Engr. Giadomenico Massari, the Federation had invested significantly in Ukpeseraye, including a training scholarship program in Switzerland and participation in international competitions in Italy.

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Ukpeseraye had also been sponsored to major international events, such as the African and World Road and Track Championships, as well as UCI Nations Cups in Eritrea, Colombia, Egypt, France, Scotland, and Morocco.

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In 2023, Engr. Massari facilitated Ukpeseraye's placement with a European club, covering the costs of her visa to Spain to ensure she gained further international exposure and professional development.

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The total investment made in developing Ukpeseraye and other cyclists exceeded ₦200 million, with the goal of ensuring they excel and compete favorably on the global stage.

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Under Engr. Massari's leadership, the CFN had also made a case for the use of the Velodrome, which had been lying idle, and successfully hosted two African Track Championships in Abuja in 2019 and 2022.

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Recently, the President had procured two tandem bicycles for the Para-Cycling Team and provided substantial equipment for the Federation, including approximately 50 track bikes, over 12 rollers, and other essential office equipment.

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Given the extensive opportunities and financial commitment toward Ukpeseraye's development, it was expected that she would demonstrate loyalty, discipline, and appreciation commensurate with the level of support she received.

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Instead, Ukpeseraye accused Engr. Massari and the Federation of victimization, neglect, and frustration, and reportedly announced her retirement from the sport without communicating with the Federation.

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To address Ukpeseraye's allegations, the CFN revealed that she had received significant financial support, including ₦2.2 million for training camp allowances and ₦6.2 million for Olympic Games allowances, as well as a $5,000 training grant from the NOC, which was supplemented by Engr. Massari with an additional €5,000.

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Ukpeseraye's claim that she was unable to attend the Zurich World Road Championship due to lack of support from the CFN was also debunked, as she was not qualified to participate in the Championship according to the UCI Ranking.

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Despite this, Engr. Massari had made an appeal to the UCI President to include Ukpeseraye in the Zurich World Road Championship, but received no response.

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Ukpeseraye had also been invited to participate in the Tour De Benin and the CAC Track and Para-Track Championships in Cairo, Egypt in 2025, but her claims of being abandoned by the Federation were found to be untrue.

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The CFN, under Engr. Massari's leadership, had done much to develop cycling and cyclists, especially female cyclists, who had achieved significant success within the African continent.

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The press conference aimed to put the records straight and inform the world that Ukpeseraye had benefitted more than any other cyclist from the Federation and the NSC, thanks to her talent and the support she had received.