250cyclists for 2nd ECOWAS tour

250 cyclists from 15 member countries are taking part

250 Cyclists for 2nd ECOWAS tour                                
Lekan Sowande, Abuja

No fewer than 250 participants from the 15 member nations of ECOWAS have confirmed their readiness to take part in the 2nd ECOWAS International Cycling Tour which will flag off on February 15, 2012.

The event scheduled for 15th to 19th will see the Cycling traverse five countries: Nigeria, Benin-Republic, Togo, Ghana and end in Cote d’Ivoire.

The race will cover a total distance of 450 kilometers and will be flagged off from the National Stadium Lagos, Nigeria, and terminate in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on February 19th 2012.

The ECOWAS International Cycling Tour, which will go over four stages, Lagos-Cotonou; Cotonou-Lome; Ada-Accra and Abuaso-Abidjan, will have three motorized transfers.

Each of the 16-member nations will field a team of six cyclings and five accompanying officials.

There will be prizes and trophies for the winners at various stages of the race as well as overall tour winners and team standing.

The will also be prizes for sprints and the best young cyclist.

Mr. Francis Njoguani, the Director of ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre, said that the staging of the second edition followed on the heels of the maiden competition held in 2009 that covered Lagos and Accra.

Ugo