– National coach Hassan Mohammed
Despite receiving a national award for his contribution to cycling in Guyana national cycling coach Hassan Mohammed is still a bit peeved.
Some half a century after he first entered the sport of cycling, the veteran coach still has his hopes up of seeing a cycling velodrome or other such facility constructed here during his lifetime.
At 63-years-old Mohammed is still optimistic even though the odds are against it happening soon.
In a no-holds barred interview with Stabroek Sports, the former cyclist said that as far back as 1958 when he entered the sport, he had heard murmurs of a cycling track being built.
“All I can say is that there has been lots of talk but no action and presently there is nothing in the making,” he said with regret.
Mohammed rode his first race in 1958 as a 13-year-old and, in a 14-year career, came up through the ranks from junior to `C’, `B’ and finally `A’ class.
He disclosed that he was lucky enough to share the same track then with the likes of the late Barry Massy, Joseph “Pirate” Alexander, O. T. Donald and Justice Ralph Morris, who was also president of the Guyana Cycling Federation.
They all shared a common dream which was to be able to compete on an International Cycling Union-sized track.
While it is a truism that some dreams come true, conversely it is also true that some dreams are not meant to be.
This, Mohammed feels, seems to be one of them.
If, however, there was a toss up between a velodrome or a cycling track Mohammed said he would go with the track since it could be turned into a multi-sport facility unlike a velodrome which can only be used for cycling.
Mohammed feels such a facility can sustain itself with revenue being earned through athletics and other sporting activities.
He asked: “If you can have a stadium for cricket and football why can there not be one for cycling and athletics?”
The velodrome, he said would have to be built at a specific size with the rink being 333.33m around as compared to the track which can be between 400-500m around.
The 333.33m rink, Mohammed says is specified by the UCI.
Mohammed added that the closest that Guyana came to having such a facility was in 1982-3 when a Korean team finalized a blue print to merge the former British Guiana Cricket Club (BGCC) and the Scouts Association building and ground on Thomas Road to construct the facility.
The multi-purpose stadium plans were shelved when the Korean War begun.
Some 26-years later, he said and it is the same old story, no track!
A visibly upset Mohammed declared that Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago boast cycling tracks while South American countries such as Colombia and Venezuela are proud owners of velodromes.
These facilities, he said, can assist in the blossoming of cyclists and enable better performances internationally.
Mohammed was also upset by the absence of quality cycling stores which cater for the needs of cyclists.
“They have to depend on when they tour and get gifts in order for their bicycles to be in pristine condition,” he said.
The lack of these and other facilities have left the sport stationary.
With respect to last year’s programme, the National Sports Commission (NSC) coach said a total of 28 cycling programmes were held including the Teach Them Young programme which has been an annual fixture for 32 years.
Some 11 road races took place throughout the country in Georgetown, Berbice, Essequibo, Linden and the West Bank of Demerara.
Two other track meets were held at the Everest Ground including the first night meeting in 42 years.
He views the Teach Them Young programme as the single most successful programme in local cycling history.
This programme, which started in 1977, has seen the likes of Tyrone Hamilton, Dwayne Gibbs, Junior Niles, Alonzo Greaves, Christopher Holder, Geron Williams, Christopher Persaud, Enzo Matthews and others, graduating and going on to successful careers.
Young Raymond Perez is a promising cyclist who will quite shortly come off his BMX bike and move on to his first racing cycle.
Mohammed has nothing but praise for the National Parks Commission (NPC) for allowing them to use the circuit and said he was hoping that the empty promises given by government officials will be fulfilled in 2009.
He said he had been lobbying for the refurbishment of the track especially the recapping of the entire circuit as the riders were complaining about the area especially around the main gate and the area in front of the rugby field.
“This is one of the safest places for youngsters to begin their cycling careers,” Mohammed said, adding that parents were happy to have their children come to the NPC especially on Saturdays and throughout the August holidays.
Even senior cyclists use that venue to practice although the NPC Circuit was really for beginners and juniors.
The old Cinder Track at Providence behind Guyana Seafood’s was once used as the premier cycling track in the 1950’s -1960’s according to Mohammed.
Mohammed said he would like to see it being used again. He declared that a proposal was done over 10 years ago by the then Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) president Maxie Perriera but to date nothing has been done.
Mohammed suggest that the facility be upgraded pointing out that cyclists would feel proud to know that they have a facility that they can call their own.
Mohammed though remains optimistic that Guyana will have a cycling track whether he is “dead or alive.”
