By Francis Ajuonuma
It was all round excitement and celebration of skills, intelligence and courage at the Bicycle, Moto, Cross (BMX) Day Celebration held at the weekend in Lagos.
Organised by the BMX Riders Association of Nigeria in partnership with Power Horse Energy Drink and BMW Club of Nigeria, the event saw over 100 skaters, bike riders and professional speed car riders from across the country converge at National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos to display their talents in a challenge contest.
The event which was the 5th edition in celebration of the BMX Day Worldwide, featured speed slalom and free jump in the skating events, while BMX event featured, tricks for cash, car drifting and grading.
At the end of the skating events, Samuel Franklin showed why he remains Nigeria’s best skater as he won the top spots in the speed slalom and free jump.
Winners in the BMX tricks for cash, grading and car drifting also received awards for their outstanding performances that often left the crowd cheering for more.
Speaking with the media, Chairman, BMX Riders Association of Nigeria, Mathew Temitope Solomon, who is also the initiator of the sport in Nigeria said his dream is to popularise the sport in the country and see Nigeria BMX riders feature at the 2032 Olympic Games to hosted in Miami Florida in United States.
He said the association under his leadership is working tirelessly to ensure that the sport becomes a point scoring event at the National Sports Festival soon which will give it the recognition to stand the chance to compete for Olympic games ticket.
Star Boy as he is popularly known commended the riders and skaters for putting up an incredible performance and promised that the next edition would be better.
“We’re working round the clock and talking with officials of the sports ministry so that this sport can get the right recognition as a scoring sport in the National Sports Festival. BMX sport is an Olympic sport and our target is to qualify for the 2032 Olympic Games in Miami, Florida, United States
Also in his remarks, Vice President of BMW Club of Nigeria, Doctor Oyegbayo Oladapo, who also doubles as chairman of the Corporate Social
Responsibility session, said their partnership with BMX Riders Association of Nigeria is to enable it deliver its CSR goodies to the people and support the BMW Automobile in the car drifting event were BMW emerge tops against others.
Our involvement is to support Star Boy who is a member of our club – BMW and wherever any member is having any event we come out in our numbers to support.
“We are also here to play our CSR role by supporting the less privileged as we did for that little girl, to pay for her school fees for one year, these are some of the thing we do within the community,” he said.
Also present at the event were Secretary, Roller Sports Federation of Nigeria, Philip Oyede and the Technical Director, Kedron Nkisa, who commended the leadership of the BMX Association Nigeria for the successful staging of the BMX Day Celebration.
