Ghana has once again taken part in the cycling events of the Africa Youth Games, marking the country’s second appearance at this major continental youth sports festival. The 2025 Games were held in Luanda, Angola.
Representing the country is young cycling talent, Mubarak Shaaban Mohammed, accompanied by his coach, Shaaban Mohammed.
Ghana’s history in youth cycling at these Games began in 2014 in Botswana. At that debut, one cyclist, Frank Akuffo, David Awuku, were supported by official Rudolph Mensah. Returning to the competition after eleven years in Luanda shows Ghana’s continued effort and growing commitment to developing cycling.
This year, Mubarak Shaaban Mohammed was Ghana’s sole representative in the cycling events. He competed in two challenging races, the Men’s Youth Individual Time Trial over 13.48 kilometers and the Men’s Youth Road Race.
The Individual Time Trial was initially planned for athletes aged 14 to16, in line with the goal of building a strong youth foundation for African cycling. However, last minute rules allowed 17 and 18 year olds to join, which changed the dynamics of the competition.
In the demanding Road Race, which was 94.36 kilometers long, Mubarak faced tough competition from older and more experienced riders. According to international rules, he was eventually lapped and withdrawn from the race. While the result was not in Ghana’s favor, the experience offered invaluable lessons for the young cyclist.
In the final standings, Algeria took first place, Ethiopia finished second, and Tunisia came third, highlighting the strong cycling talent across Africa.
For Ghana, the real success was not about winning a medal. Mubarak Shaaban Mohammed’s participation is a symbol of hope for the future of Ghanaian cycling.
As Ghana continues to focus on developing young athletes, Mubarak’s journey in Luanda will inspire other young cyclists at home. It proves that with steady commitment, support, and opportunity, Ghana can build a stronger presence in African cycling.