Team Nigeria’s Aki Emmanuel Okon and Iya Okon Iya Claim Silver at CAC Para Cycling Championship

By ETTAH EMMANUEL O.

Team Cross River para-cyclists, Aki Emmanuel Okon and Iya Okon Iya, have made Nigeria and Cross River State proud after winning a silver medal in the 1000 meters B-Class Tandem event at the 2026 CAC Para Track and Track Cycling Championship in Abuja.

Representing Team Nigeria at the continental championship, the talented athletes from Odukpani Local Government Area delivered an outstanding performance to finish second in a highly competitive race with a time of 1:18:44 seconds.

The gold medal was won by the Nigerian pair of Ekana and Badu with a time of 1:18:34 seconds, while another Nigerian team, Sadiq and Damola, secured bronze after finishing in 1:18:80 seconds. Kenya’s Emberhuju and Gathura came fourth with 1:21:77 seconds, while Nigeria’s Femi and Samuel finished fifth in 1:23:37 seconds.

Countries that participated in the championship include Nigeria, Algeria, Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, Benin Republic, Republic of Congo, Morocco, and Zimbabwe, among others, making the competition one of the biggest para-cycling events on the African continent. The Para-Track event officially came to an end today after days of intense competition and remarkable performances from athletes across Africa.

Aki Emmanuel Okon and Iya Okon Iya earned their national team call-up following their remarkable performances at the National Para Games and National Open Championship, where they displayed determination, discipline, and excellence in para sports.

Speaking after the race, the athletes expressed excitement over their achievement and pledged to continue giving their best while representing Nigeria and Cross River State on the international stage. They described the silver medal victory as a dream come true and a motivation to strive for even greater success in future competitions.

Their coach, Musa Garuba, expressed joy and pride over the athletes’ performance, noting that their dedication, hard work, and consistency during training contributed immensely to the success recorded at the championship. He commended the athletes for remaining focused and disciplined throughout the competition.

The athletes also appreciated the Chairman of the Cross River State Sports Commission, Hon. Etta Lawrence, for his encouragement and commitment to sports development in the state. They further thanked the Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Apostle Bassey Otu, for his continuous support for youth empowerment and sporting excellence.

In his congratulatory message, Hon. Etta Lawrence praised the athletes for making Cross River State proud on the continental stage. He described their silver medal victory as a testament to the growing success of sports development initiatives in the state and assured them of continued support for para sports and athlete welfare.

The participation and success of Aki Emmanuel Okon and Iya Okon Iya at the 2026 CAC Para Track and Track Cycling Championship further highlights Cross River State’s growing reputation for producing talented athletes capable of competing and excelling at international competitions.

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