With the sweeping breeze and scintillating sun coupled with the closure of schools, the 43rd annual National Sports Commission Teach Them Young cycling programme commenced yesterday at the National Park.
A handful of riders turned out for the first day of the eight-week course but that number is likely to increase as the days go on.
Organiser and coordinator of the event, Hassan Mohammed reiterated that the event is free and open to anyone willing to learn to ride or build up a career in competitive cycling.
When asked about the turnout, the veteran organizer explained that “a lot of people don’t realize that it is free, all they have to do is show up with a bicycle and protective gear and I will welcome them.”
Mohammed added that it was pleasing to see young riders dedicated and coming from as far as Coverden, East Bank Demerara.
He encouraged more people to take up the opportunity to meaningfully occupy their time and invest in a healthy lifestyle.
One of the riders, an optimistic 12-year-old, who recently wrote the Common Entrance Examinations and earned a spot at Richard Ishmael Secondary was adamant about his love for the sport and was encouraged to return after participating last year.
The programme has groomed 95 percent of the cyclists that have represented Guyana including current Secretary General of the GOA, Hector Edwards, who was part of the inaugural run of the programme in 1976.
As the years rolled by the likes of Marcus and Noel Fiedtkou, Byron and Bertram James, Godfrey Pollydore, Dwayne Gibbs, Linden Dowridge, Robin Persaud, Eric Sankar and Tyrone Hamilton, Troy Humphrey, Alex and Reginald Mendes, Junior Niles, Geron Williams, Warren McKay, Raynauth Jeffrey, Michael Anthony, Hamza Eastman, Raphael Leung and Jamaul John all participated in the annual programme.
