Story by Isaac Mortey
In the summer of 2028, Los Angeles will welcome the world for an unparalleled Olympic and Paralympic Games experience, as the best athletes from around the globe compete on the biggest stage in sports. As Ghana is yet to compete on the biggest stage in cycling, the Ghana Cycling Federation has assured Ghanaians that, with the plans they have put in place, a Ghanaian cyclist(s) will compete in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.


However the Federation is embarking on individual qualification, which is easier than team and continental qualification. They have selected bronze medalists and potential cyclists from the African Cycling Championship held last year in Ghana and are training and grooming them on a weekly basis.
Ghana Cycling Federation signed a partnership deal with the Bahati Foundation last year to elevate the sport to the next level in Ghana. They will train with them and compete in competitions to help secure qualification for a Ghanaian cyclist(s) for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. However, Zwift has also designed a program aimed at enhancing cycling and sports medicine capabilities for world championships in Rwanda.

To help athletes secure a future after cycling, the Cycling Federation has also signed an educational scholarship with Charles Drew University, allowing athletes to attend school while pursuing greatness in cycling. As part of the agreement, the Golden Pedals will be based in the USA, Los Angeles, to enhance their training skills with the USA cycling team and participate in competitions to gather points for the L.A 2028 Olympic Games.

This project has also enticed Giant Bicycle, the Mayor of Los Angeles, and Ghana Gas to come on board to achieve the dream of qualifying a Ghanaian cyclist(s) for the Olympic Games for the first time. Aside from this project, the Federation is also hoping to secure funds from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the athletes, enabling them to receive salaries at the end of each month while based in the USA.
The Bahati Foundation will arrive in Ghana on July 23, 2024, for the Bahati satellite adjoined with what Ghana Cycling Federation has at Nsawam. The Bahati Foundation’s “Ride to New Horizons African Cycling Initiative” is dedicated to advancing cycling in Africa through initiatives that promote biking education, improve access to quality equipment, and establish sustainable sports training opportunities. Central to this initiative is enhancing sports medicine capabilities across the continent.
Last month, the General Secretary for the Cycling Federation visited the Bahati Foundation. During his visit to Los Angeles, Mr. Mohammed had the opportunity to explore various key institutions aimed at enhancing cycling and sports medicine capabilities. He also visited Zwift Corporate Headquarters, where he received an exclusive tour of their offices and state-of-the-art training lab, featuring the launch of their latest product, the Zwift trainer.



BY: Isaac Mortey