The Bahati Foundation, based in Los Angeles,
California, recently invited and hosted Mr. Shaaban Mohammed, Secretary General of the Ghana Cycling Federation, to take a Familiarization Tour to the U.S.
The tour dates were June 13-17, 2024. It was a tremendous success and meant many objectives related to the next steps in launching the collaboration between the Ghana Cycling Federation and the Bahati Foundation.
This tour is part of the initial launch of the Bahati Foundation landmark Ride to New Horizons African Cycling Initiative. The tour concluded successfully in New York City at the Harlem Skyscraper Cycling Classic.
“We are privileged to host Mr. Mohammed from the Ghana Cycling Federation here in Los
Angeles and New York, where he can witness firsthand the site of the 2028 Summer Olympic Games and the Skyscraper Cycling Classic,” stated Rahsaan Bahati, founder of Bahati Foundation and 10-time U.S. Champion Pro Cyclist.
“This visit marks an exciting opportunity for us to address challenges and find solutions alongside the Ghana, Lesotho, and Burkina Faso Cycling Federations while highlighting the critical importance of developing Cycling throughout Africa.
Our foundation is proud to launch its African Cycling Initiative through this meaningful partnership with Ghana. Africa possesses immense talent and potential to excel – not only in Cycling but in all arenas. All that’s needed is the opportunity to compete.”
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 visited Zwift Corporate Headquarters in downtown Long Beach, 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.
Additionally, Mr. Mohammed toured the prestigious Velo Sports Center at Dignity Health Park in Carson, California. The Velo Sports Center, home to a world-class Velodrome and the primary training facility for the US National Track Cycling Team, showcased cutting-edge training methodologies and facilities.
During the tour of L.A., Mr. Mohammed had a unique opportunity to visit the Bahati Foundation’s weekly criterium racing series held at Eldorado Park in the City of Long Beach.
This racing series is produced in conjunction with Methods to Winning Inc., a local race team. The racing series provides an excellent training environment for criterium racers to improve their skills and tactics for high-speed racing.
A significant highlight of his visit was a productive meeting at one of the U.S.’s top historically Black Medical Schools, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles.
During this meeting, Mr. Mohammed engaged with Dr. Lisa Barkley, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine, Dr. Lejeune Y. Lockett, Director of the Office of International Affairs, and Sana Shaheer Abbasi, Program Manager. Discussions centered around potential exchange programs for Ghana cyclists and strategies to build sports medicine capacity across Africa.
The tour continued in New York City, where Mr. Mohammed attended the prestigious Harlem
Skyscraper Cycling Classic hosted by the Bahati Foundation. The event featured the Motion Equals Healthy 2nd Annual Bike Giveaway and Bike Clinic, promoting healthy lifestyles and cycling among youth.
Mr. Mohammed actively participated in various activities, gaining insights into race organization and fostering relationships for potential participation of the Ghana National Race Team in future Crit. races in Harlem and across the United States.
The Familiarization Tour underscored the Bahati Foundation’s commitment to its Ride to New Horizons African Cycling Initiative, aiming to empower African cyclists and promote Cycling as a pathway to health and success.
ABOUT THE BAHATI FOUNDATION AFRICAN CYCLING INITIATIVE
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 the enhancement of Sports Medicine capabilities across the continent.
Collaborations with the University of Ouagadougou, University of Lesotho, and the University of Ghana underscore the importance of identifying and nurturing cycling talent, a pivotal strategy for the growth of Cycling in Africa.
Recently, with the announcement of Rwanda hosting the 2025 UCI Road Cycling Championships, endorsed by the International Cycling Union (UCI), the Bahati Foundation aims to contribute significantly to the development of the next wave of competitive African cyclists. This initiative is a crucial step toward preparing athletes for participation in the Olympic Summer Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
ABOUT THE BAHATI FOUNDATION
The Bahati Foundation is committed to promoting Play Equity and GiveBACK initiatives, dedicated to providing underrepresented youth access to the transformative benefits of cycling and enhanced mobility. Our mission is rooted in addressing critical health disparities among inner-city youth, particularly in the realms of physical fitness, mental health, and overall wellness.
Through our African Cycling Initiative, the foundation extends its impact to empower youth across Africa through the sport of cycling, aiming to cultivate the next generation of African cycling champions.
