The Abuja Motorsport being planned for April in Abuja has the potential to boost tourism, automotive research and development in the country according to the Nigeria Auto Sport Association.
The Co-Founder and Vice President of NASA- Adekola Olamilekan, disclosed this in Abuja during an inspection of the race track by stakeholders.
He said the inspection of the race track from Gateway Plaza in the Central Area through the CBN, National Mosque, Silverbird Gallery, Sheraton Hotel, NNPC Towers and Defence College was to get familiar with the area and sensitise the stakeholders.
Olamilekan said, “The stakeholders comprise Multi Choice, Sports Department of the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, VIO, Garki Hospital and many others.
“The auto sport event that will come up on 11 and 12 of April has the potential to diversify the country’s economy.”
He also said, “This is good considering the fact that Nigeria is making effort toward having indigenous automobile manufacturers.
“Most technologies you see in cars today are first tested during motorsports, perfected and transferred to regular cars so that everyone can enjoy them.”
Olamilekan noted that motorsport provided a platform for automobile research and development in technology.
He also said tourism would be boosted with people travelling to Abuja to watch the event.
“To set up a team, you need to get mechanics and other crew members which will comprise youths. So, the auto sport accommodates all the youths, both literate and illiterate.
“By and large, the auto sport will impact positively on technological development, tourism sector and empowerment of the youths,” he said.
The FCT Director of Sports, Mrs Dilichukwu Onyedinma, said the event would put Nigeria on the global map of auto sports.
The Executive President of NASA, Olure Bolaji, gave the mapped out track for the race as 6.7km long, 15 laps and one formal lap.
He said the two-day event to be organised by NASA “is open to only Nigerians.”
“The track design is convenient and coverage will be live. Nigeria is ready for this event. Our mid-term goal for five years is to have eight races nationwide. We hope to do it in Akwa Ibom and Lagos in the next three years. The vision is to have 12 races annually,” Bolaji said.
