Hassan Mohamed, Guyana’s ‘Father of Cycling’, dies at 80

Hassan Mohamed, a prominent figure in Guyanese cycling known as the ‘Father of Cycling,’ has passed away at the age of 80. He died peacefully in his sleep on the early hours of Friday, August 21.

Mohamed’s career in the sport spanned over six decades, beginning in 1958 when he joined the Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club at age 13. After competing in junior, youth, and senior divisions for 14 years, he transitioned into coaching, administration, and race organization. In 1975, he received a Guyana Olympic Association scholarship to study in Rome, Italy, where he earned qualifications from the Union Cycliste Internationale and the International Olympic Committee.

As Guyana’s national cycling coach and a key official within the Guyana Cycling Federation, Mohamed was instrumental in developing the sport through grassroots initiatives. He notably led the ‘Teach Them Young’ programme at the National Park, which provided generations of youth with training in riding, bicycle safety, and competitive cycling. Steve Ninvalle of the National Sports Commission described his passing as a significant loss to the nation’s sporting landscape.