Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) President, Cheryl Thompson yesterday paid a courtesy call on the participants of this year’s 36th annual ‘Teach Them Young’ cycling programme which is being held at the National Park.
The eight-week camp, which commenced on July 9, has attracted in excess of 40 participants who are being tutored about the fundamentals of the sport by National Cycling Coach Hassan Mohamed.
The camp which is sponsored by the National Sports Commission (NSC) started with 22 youngsters, but has grown over the past weeks.
Thompson urged them to continue to practise hard and aim high in their pursuits.
Thompson said: “Remember that your practice will pay off in another few years from now, and you can never tell, we might be privileged to have one of you representing us at the Olympics or even being at the Tour de France.”
The GCF president told participants that almost all of Guyana’s champions have passed through the programme and they too should aspire to be champions in their age group, at the junior level and then as seniors.
Thompson intimated that the current crop of champion riders like juniors Paul DeNobrega, Raynauth Jeffrey and seniors like Geron Williams, Alonzo Greaves and Robin Persaud have all graduated from the programme, which first started in 1977.
“I want to continue to implore on you youths to be disciplined, continue to listen to Mr. Mohamed and in doing so I’m quite certain that you will all be winners, not today, not tomorrow, but in years to come.
We have the Olympics not far from us in Brazil in another four years, and one of you might be able to represent us there,” Thompson said.
In brief remarks Mohamed noted that the participants have exercised a high level of discipline, something he is very pleased about.
“This is only the second week we are in this programme and I’ve noticed quite a few of you, whether it’s rain or sun, you’re always here. This is a very good sign because the grassroots of success in anything you do is discipline; if you don’t have any discipline you would not achieve, even in your classroom, even in your home,” Mohamed remarked.
The programme is being held on weekdays from 09:00 to 11:30 hours.
The cycling camp will end on September 1 when the riders will be given an opportunity to showcase their new skills at a National Sports Commission sponsored 11-race programme at the same venue.
