Mecca of cycling undergoing timely overhaul

Jan 27, 2011 Sports

development of the sport will be boosted further

By Franklin Wilson

There is the old adage that says ‘nothing before it’s time’ and in this case it is apt. The cycling track at the National Park has long been in dire need of redoing and it is finally being done.
Catching up with many cyclists and administrators have been very pleasing over the past few days as everyone is wearing a proud smile and singing the praises of the Minister of Sport and also complimenting National Coach Hassan Mohamed and the Director of Sport for making it reality.
The re-surfacing of the entire track is presently being carried out by Dipcon at a cost of $24.59m.
The happiest individual of all though, is National Coach Hassam Mohamed who has been the heart and soul of the sport for a few decades and counting.
Mohamed has been responsible in some way, shape or form for the growth and development of dozens of Guyana’s cyclists over the years, all of whom have come out of the National Park ‘Teach Them Young’ programme which is sponsored by the National sports Commission (NSC) for the past 34 years, this year will be the 35th.
At the top of the list is current President of the Guyana Cycling Federation Hector Edwards who became the first champion to emerge from the ‘Teach Them Young’ programme in 1977 along with Johnny Creavalle and Leo Ramalho, all attending Christ Church Secondary at the time.
Speaking with Kaieteur Sport, Mohamed disclosed that this is the first time that the entire circuit is being re-done; in the past he said, only patches were done.
Cyclists will not be the only persons benefitting from this facility but hundreds of individuals who use the circuit in the mornings and afternoons for jogging and keeping fit. They are also smiling since they will no longer encounter bumps and holes which can lead to injury.
For sure, the cyclists will be eying faster times on this track, from the 6-9 BMX boys and girls to the senior riders.
Hassan Mohamed: “Words can’t really express how I feel about the total uplift of this venue which is the Mecca for the sport in Guyana. I am really joyful from my heart; this is the best news for the sport for 2011. Cyclists will now be able to focus more on riding and not having to worry about the condition of the track.”
Mohamed has been running perhaps, the oldest nursery programme in Guyana and possibly the Caribbean.
Over the years he has churned out champions the likes of Tyrone Hamilton who holds the distinction of being the first BMX rider to become National champion; the Fiedtkou brothers Marcus and Noel, the James siblings Byron and Bertram, Linden Dowridge, Troy Humphrey (deceased), Robin Persaud; Junior Niles, Dwayne ‘Road Hog’ Gibbs and Linden Blackman who all started as upright riders.
Some of the top names emerging from the younger brigade are Christopher Holder, Geron Williams, Alonzo Greaves, Enzo Matthews, Paul De Nobrega and Kurt La Rose among many others.
With the circuit expected to be completed by this weekend, the 18th annual Ricks & Sari 11-race programme which was scheduled to pedal off the 2011 season will be pushed back by one week to allow the track to dry out properly.

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