A 28-year-old Michael Naba from Upper East Region and a member of FCG Cycling club based in Accra emerged as the winner of this year’s 2023 National Cycling Championship held at Ho, the Volta Regional Capital.
The two days event brought together Cyclists from all the Cycling clubs across Ghana. The championship forms part of the qualification towards the Accra 2023 Africa Games, scheduled to take place in March next year 2024 and also the Paris Olympic Games next year in France.
Michael beat the other 40 Cyclists with four hours, one minute, and thirty seconds with a distance of 139.2km of seven laps with an average speed of 34.58. Prince Kudufia was second with a finishing time of four hours, three minutes, two seconds while Sesi Emmanuel came third in four hours three minutes, three seconds.
In the women’s division, Erica Sedro the defending champion, retained her title with a distance of 65.2km, 4 laps, a speed of 23.48km and a finishing time of three hours twenty-three seconds. While Florence Heridoh came second.
Abdul – Majeed Sanda was the winner of the Men’s junior division with a distance of 79.44km of 5 laps, an average speed of 31.36km with a time of three hours thirty-two minutes whereas Elias Sherif was second with a finishing time of two hours, forty minutes.
In his address, the Vice President of the Ghana Cycling Federation, Mr Riyard Mohammed, said this year’s championship has been tough as compared to last year and that when the Cyclists are given the needed resources they can win more gold medals for Ghana in the upcoming Accra 2023 and Paris Olympic 2024.
On his part, the General Secretary of the Ghana Cycling Federation, Mr Mohammed Shaaban, expressed happiness that the region successfully hosted the event and said if Ghana gets the opportunity to host another Africa Championship, the Federation will consider Volta Region because its friendly environment.
Emmanuel Ashong, ISD
