[dehai-news] (UCI) UCI President meets with President of Eritrea

 UCI President meets with President of Eritrea

15.11.2011

During a visit to Eritrea last week, the International Cycling Union (UCI) President Mr Pat McQuaid met with the country’s President Mr Isaias Afewerki and the President of the African Cycling Confederation (CAC) Dr Waggih Azzam.

At the meeting in the capital Asmara, the Eritrean President expressed his appreciation of the efforts made by both the UCI and the CAC to develop cycling in his country. Mr Afewerki explained that cycling has been popular in Eritrea for decades and that his government continues to promote sports in the country.

Mr McQuaid commented that the Eritrean government’s efforts to promote and develop sport, and cycling in particular, were reflected in the performances achieved by the country’s athletes.

One such athlete, Daniel Teklehaimanot, made headlines recently by signing a professional contract with the new Australian team GreenEdge, which is hoping to become the first Australian squad to secure a UCI ProTeam licence. Since 2005, the 23-year-old Eritrean cyclist has divided his time between Africa and Switzerland, training at the World Cycling Centre in Aigle, which also houses the UCI headquarters.

*Photo: (from left) Dr Waggih Azzam, Mr Pat McQuaid and Mr Isaias Afewerki*

UCI Communication Services

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