President of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) Cheryl Thompson is urging a group of ‘Teach Them Young’ cyclists to return to school and remain focused on the possibility of riding at the next Olympics in neighbouring Brazil.
“Keep the good work up, go back to your schools, impart what you have learnt and you never can tell in four years at the next Olympics which is just next door, one of you might be our next Olympic rider.”
The GCF president gave those words of encouragement when she and Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony paid the participants of this year’s eight-week 36th annual ‘Teach Them Young’ Cycling Summer Camp a courtesy call at the National Park yesterday.
During her pep talk to the 42 riders, who according to coordinator of the programme National Cycling Coach Hassan Mohamed is the largest turnout since the programme pedaled off in 1977, Thompson said she was privileged to see so many riders at the nursery stage and would encourage them to strive for success.
Said Thompson: “I am privileged to be here to see so many of you involved in cycling at the nursery stage. I’m quite sure that you have learned a lot in the eight weeks and I want you to be ambassadors of this programme when you return to your respective schools and pass on what you have learnt and encourage other cyclists to come on board.”
The GCF president added: ”I hope each of you will put into practice what you have learnt in the past eight weeks. I wish you continued success in what you do, continue riding, continue practising and eating properly and listen to your coaches.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony said that ‘Teach Them Young’ programmes of this nature are necessary for the growth and development of sport while competitions also play a vital role in shaping future champions.
The minister further stated that it is because of these events that Guyana is becoming more recognized as a cycling nation.
Anthony also noted that while Guyana has been represented in cycling at the Olympics before, there has been an absence in this discipline for the past few Games and he challenged cycling executives to work towards having riders being fully prepared to compete at the highest level.
Director of Sport Neil Kumar, who also attended the camp, commended the parents for allowing the youngsters to participate in a meaningful activity over the past eight weeks.
The ‘Teach Them Young’ programme which has been responsible for producing almost all of the nation’s champion riders will conclude tomorrow with an 11-race programme which is sponsored by the National Sports Commission.
This year’s programme commenced on July 9 and attracted participants from both genders and riders as young as four-year-old Treiston Duncan.
