In response to the growing controversy surrounding Nigerian cyclist Ese Ukpeseraye’s participation in the upcoming Olympic cycling events, Senator John Owan Enoh, Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Sports Development, has provided essential clarifications.
The confusion began after a social media post by Ukpeseraye appeared to mislead followers regarding her preparation and the country’s readiness for the Olympics.
Senator Enoh explained that Team Nigeria initially qualified for only one road race in cycling and had fully prepared for this event.
However, two weeks ago, after the entire Nigerian contingent, including the cycling team, had already departed for the Olympics, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) allocated additional slots to Nigeria.
These new slots, covering the Keirin and individual sprint events, became available due to the disqualification of another country, thus making Nigeria the next eligible nation.
“Unfortunately, this additional slot required the use of a different competition bike,” Enoh stated. The minister emphasized that this new slot demanded specialized equipment, specifically designed for Olympic track races, which typically requires months to order and deliver.
To ensure that Ukpeseraye could compete in these newly allocated events, the Cycling Federation of Nigeria worked swiftly. Collaborating with Ukpeseraye’s club in Europe and a German-owned company, the federation managed to procure a suitable track bike for her.
Enoh concluded by emphasizing that Ukpeseraye would still be racing in the individual sprint, the event she originally qualified for, on August 9, 2024. He called for calm and understanding, pointing out that the social media post may have been misunderstood due to the lack of context.
“The Federation, in conjunction with all relevant bodies, has done everything within its power to ensure that our athletes are well-prepared and equipped for their respective events,” Enoh assured.
