As for local males attracted to cycling vs. soccer....it's not surprising that soccer has a stronger worldwide attraction across all types of cultures and countries:

Anyone who can run /be mobile can play soccer. It doesn't require special equipment. And it's cheap. Easier to learn and to relate to..vs. cycling. No wonder IFA soccer matches might even have a larger audience/spectator base world-wide compared to competitive cycling, that would beat out even the Tour de France.