Lagos –  Lateef Oloko, Chief Coach, Lagos State Cycling Association (LSCA), has appealed to the state government to restore subventions to sports associations for them to execute their programmes.

Oloko, who also urged the media to help promote cycling as a sport, made the appeal in an interview on Thursday in Lagos.

The coach recalled that when the sports associations were being funded by the government, competitions which helped the sportsmen to hone their skills, were organised regularly.

He said that lack of funds and sponsorship by corporate organisations was hindering the association’s programmes and making the athletes idle.

Oloko asserted that this development could adversely affect the athletes’ performance at local and international competitions.

“We have tried our best to get sponsors through consultants for years but we did not get any because they preferred football to cycling.

“ The sport is becoming moribund due to lack of funds and sponsorships. I appeal to the state government to reintroduce subvention for us to run our programmes,’’ he said.

He said that the state cyclists were engaged in intensive training and in preparation for the National Sports Festival later in Port Harcourt and expressed optimism of a good performance.

The coach, however, decried the insufficient number of bicycles for training and competitions, saying this posed a serious threat to the team’s chances at the festival.

“The government promised to purchase equipment; we appeal to them to deliver them on time for athletes to get used to them before the festival“ Oloko said. (NAN)