The ‘Teach them Young’ cycling programme which was launched on Monday  at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel is now in its 32nd year and the repeated success of the annual programme has kept it alive.

Started in the year 1977 by national cycling coach Hassan Mohammed with the aid of the National Sports Commission, this programme is by far the oldest nursery of any sports discipline in the country.

All that is needed for an interested person to attend the eight-week programme (July 14 – September 6) is a bicycle and a helmet as the programme is free of cost while boys and girls from the age of six years are eligible to attend as well as adults (novices).

Sessions run for two hours (9:00hrs – 11:00hrs) Monday to Friday in the National Park where learners go through
the basics of cycling.

Mohammed extended his deepest appreciation to the National Park Commission for granting him permission to use the venue.

When Mohammed spoke with Stabroek Sport he indicated  that over the years the turn out of participants has been favourable but this year the number of participants was larger than the previous year, indicating that people are eager to learn.

He added that several top cycling figures, both past and present, have passed through this programme.

“The goal of programme is to encourage more participation in the sport, prevent delinquency and produce champions and I hope that other coaches in different sport disciplines can do the same,” Mohammed added.