ATCN empowers marshals, officials with advanced motorsport training

The Automobile and Touring Club of Nigeria (ATCN), a mobility and motorsport non-governmental organization, has successfully concluded a three-day Motorsport Officials and Marshals Training (Train the Trainer) programme aimed at improving the technical capacity of motorsport marshals and officials across the country. The training, held from October 10–12, 2025, at the Rage Media Group in […]

The Automobile and Touring Club of Nigeria (ATCN), a mobility and motorsport non-governmental organization, has successfully concluded a three-day Motorsport Officials and Marshals Training (Train the Trainer) programme aimed at improving the technical capacity of motorsport marshals and officials across the country.

The training, held from October 10–12, 2025, at the Rage Media Group in Abuja, attracted about 40 participants from different parts of Nigeria. It was supported by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) under its Motorsport Funding Program and covered diverse disciplines such as karting, gymkhana, drifting, drag racing, and karting slalom.

According to the President of ATCN, Mr. Ishiaku Bamaiyi, the programme “is meant to equip motorsport officials with minimum knowledge, tools and techniques of the game.” He emphasized that the initiative was part of ATCN’s ongoing commitment to building a sustainable and professional motorsport ecosystem in Nigeria.

The first day of the training was led by Mr. Derek Jacobs, a member of the FIA Development Task Force Team for Africa, who focused on the duties of the clerk of the course, event structure, management, safety, incident handling, and licensing. Jacobs told participants that one of the essential competencies of a motorsport official is “in-depth understanding of all the relevant regulations required to run the competition, inclusive of sporting, technical and judicial rules.”

The second phase featured Mr. Miguel Tiago, FIA Coordinator and member of the FIA Development Task Force for Africa, who also serves as ASN Mozambique Delegate and Supersport F1 Commentator. Tiago trained participants on the functions and expectations of marshals, event preparation, equipment handling, marshal post structure, and pre-race inspections.

The final day provided hands-on field experience through an event simulation exercise held at the Eagle Square, Abuja, giving trainees the opportunity to apply their new knowledge in a practical environment.

Throughout the programme, participants received learning materials, souvenirs, and meals, with many describing the training as an eye-opening step toward advancing motorsport professionalism in Nigeria.