Mohammed Shabaan, Technical Director of the Ghana Cycling Federation (GCF) has commended cyclist participating in the 2013 Cowbell National Cycling Tour for their resilience, motivation and self-discipline during the Tour which took them to eight regions.

He told yours truly Ghana Cycling is developing very fast and the government must support the Federation to organize more events to put the cyclists in top shape at any time.

Shaaban, a former national cyclist sad the sport can put Ghana’s name bigger and better on the world map, and if the nation participates in international events like the Olympic Games many medals can be won, even more than football, where 22 players chase one medal.

According to him, Cycling has many benefits and people must be encouraged to get bicycles because it can boost healthy living and make people fitter. He noted that cycling is economical because sales and marketing are made where ever the event is held.

“You know Cycling is environmentally friendly because the bike does not pollute the air like vehicles and if one always use bikes, you can prolong your life span. I tell you cycling is a big sport in America, France, Canada, United Kingdom and many advanced countries, even the Chinese live it, so we must also love it in Ghana and promote it” he stressed.

Shaaban Mohammed charged corporate bodies to come to the aid of the Federation and they will never regret because it is a sport that needs sponsorship and the sponsorship yields vast results. He congratulated Promasidor, TV3, Multi Media Group, DDP, Global Outdoor and Pens & Plastics Ghana Limited for supporting the Federation and contributing massively to the 2013 National Cycling Tour that has run through eight regions.

He commended the media for following the event and wished that what football has benefited from journalists could be done to Cycling. The Tour covers a distance of 2156 kilometers and the cyclists are riding a distance of 1313 kilometers.

The winners of the various jerseys will go home with attractive cash prizes.

The Cowbell National Cycling Tour ends on Saturday June 8 at the Trade Fair Center in Accra.