Former national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed, the man widely known as the “Father of Cycling” in Guyana, has died at the age of 80.
A source close to his family confirmed that Mohamed passed away peacefully in his sleep during the early hours of today, August 21. He would have celebrated his 81st birthday on October 28.
Mohamed’s death has brought an end to a lifetime of service to local cycling. His involvement in the sport stretched from 1958 to his retirement after more than 50 years in coaching and administration.
He began riding competitively at age 13 with the Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club and competed for 14 years across several divisions. He later captained the club from 1968 until ending his competitive career in 1972.
Mohamed’s transition into coaching came after he received a Guyana Olympic Association scholarship in 1975 to study in Rome. He returned with cycling and physical education qualifications and was appointed national cycling coach on August 1 of that year.
For decades, he served through the National Sports Commission while combining coaching with administration and race organisation. He also took national teams to competitions across the Caribbean and the Americas.
His international assignments included the 1975 Pan American Games in Mexico, the 1977 World Cycling Championships in Venezuela and the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Canada.
However, Mohamed’s greatest impact was at the grassroots level. He was the driving force behind the annual “Teach Them Young” cycling programme at the National Park, which began in 1976.
The school-vacation programme introduced young riders to bicycle safety, discipline, riding techniques and competition. It helped shape several generations of cyclists, including national champions and riders who later competed regionally and internationally.
Geron Williams, Raynauth Jeffrey, Jamal John, Hamza Eastman, Godfrey Pollydore, Hector Edwards and Linden Dowridge were among the riders identified over the years as products of Mohamed’s developmental work.
Mohamed also transformed the National Park’s inner circuit into one of the main venues for local cycling. Through his relationships with corporate sponsors, he organised regular events for juveniles, juniors, women, seniors and veterans.
He founded the NSC Independence Three-Stage Cycle Road Race in 1983. The event grew into one of the most important and enduring competitions on Guyana’s cycling calendar.
Mohamed also served as treasurer and racing secretary of the Guyana Cycling Federation and as president of the Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club.
His contribution was recognised with the Medal of Service in 1990. He was twice named runner-up for the National Sports Commission’s Coach of the Year award and received honours from the Guyana Olympic Association for his contribution to cycling.
Even after retiring, Mohamed continued to follow the sport and advocate for improved facilities. For years, he called for the construction of a dedicated cycling stadium or velodrome in Guyana.
Mohamed leaves behind a lasting legacy as the coach, mentor and organiser who helped keep cycling active in Guyana while creating opportunities for countless young riders.
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