Cycling competition to mark Republic Day

There is some speculation whether or not the Ghana contingent of the DCMTB/City-Bikes squad remembers how to go fast and hold a line enough to participate, but the invitation has been extended anyways. - BEP

Cross posted from http://www.ghanaweb.com

Cycling competition to mark Republic Day

Accra, June 19, GNA - About 78 cyclists drawn from nine Clubs in the Greater Accra Region and neighbouring countries, Cote D'Ivoire, Togo and Burkina Faso will compete for honours in a cycling championship race on July 1, as part of activities marking Ghana's Republic Day Anniversary.The competition under the sponsorship of Bahmed Travel and Tours with a sponsored of over 50 millions cedis which is tagged "Bahmed Challenge Cup" will cover a 115 kilometre criterion race. The race according to the organisers will commence at the Osu Mobile Filling station and take cyclists through Jokers Night Club, Labadi with the Independence Square as the termination point. Among the participating Clubs are All Stars, Dome Cycling Club, Quick Step, Nippon, City Migro, Fire Bunch, Gutten Cycling Club, Young Stars and River Park.Briefing the press in Accra On Tuesday, Mr Albert Oku, Executive Member of the Greater Accra Cycling Association (GACA) said the championship is part of their effort to revive the sport in the Region and the country as a whole.Mr Oku said cyclists competing in the All Africa Games will also use the opportunity to prepare for the pan African event. The Executive Member said 18 cyclists from Togo, Burkina Faso and Cote D'Ivoire have confirmed their participation in the event with the rest of the majority cyclists drawn from nine Clubs in the Region to sum up the list of participants.Mr Oku expressed the hope that the competition will be the first step in bringing the sport out of the doldrums and create more participation from the public.Alhaji Ahmed Bandoh, Chief Executive Officer of Bahmed Travel and Tours called on stakeholders to make cycling a national sport by encouraging the youth to take up cycling. He said his organisation hopes to encourage mass participation in the sport since the sport has been identified as a leisure sport and is an easy and cheap means of transportation in the country. The competition will see the winner pocketing four million cedis and a racing bike, with the first runner up taking home three million cedis and a 24-inch colour television, whilst the second runner up will receive 2.5 million cedis and a 24 inch colour television.