The urge to sensitise and educate Ghanaians on hepatitis B has inspired the HM Cycling Club of Prampram to stage a nationwide tour to spread the message against the disease. According to Hassan Musah, Chairman of HM Cycling Club, his outfit are keen to exploit the advantage and patronage enjoyed by the sport of cycling, the perfect platform to lead the fight against what he says is a deadly disease.

“Ours is a sport which attracts a lot of fans so it is the perfect opportunity to create awareness about hepatitis B. It’s deadlier than AIDS but people are not even aware of what the disease is let alone how dangerous it is,” Mr. Musah explained to SportsInGhana.com.

The two week tour sponsored by the Ministry of Health and billed to span Accra to Ho, Hohoe, Nkwanta, Bimbila, Yendi, Gushiegu, Gambaga, Zebila, Bolga, Walewale, Tamale, Kintampo, Techiman, Kumasi, Ejisu, Konongo, Nkawkaw, Suhum, Nsawam and back to Accra will come alive next year after its official launch in Ashaiman on January 1. Lots of cyclists across the length and breadth of the country irrespective of their age, region or team are expected to all throng the jamboree that Ashaiman is expected to be engulfed in by cycling.

An idea that was first ignited two years ago unsurprisingly by HM Cycling Club Manager Joseph Mensah popularly called Ideas, the nationwide tour against Hepatitis B is one that the club based in Prampram are keen to sustain because of its perceived significance. Even before executing the first edition, HM are already looking into the future on what they plan to institute as an annual event.

“This will not be the end because we want to do it every year. Every month, there will be publicity about it. We will be glad if we can extend it to Nigeria and other West African countries in the future. Yes we can,” Joseph Mensah AKA Ideas chipped in with the club’s motto.

Ashaiman based private radio station Sena FM are providing free publicity and will carry a live broadcast of the launch on New Year’s Day 2011. Icecool Mineral Water have also pledged to deliver free water but the organizers say more companies are invited to also support the tour in whatever capacity.

‘Yes We Can’ is the motto of HM Cycling Club and SportsInGhana.com understands that the nationwide tour which is expected to span two weeks, will pedal off without delay after the official launch on January 1 by the Minister of Health. For HM Cycling Club however, helping save Ghanaians from the deadly effects of Hepatitis B is the legacy they are desperate to establish.

“We will be happy that at least we have helped some people get to know about Hepatitis B. It is an assurance that the few we educate will also educate others who will also educate others and it will be a continuous cycle,” added George Mohammed Amedodah who is Welfare Officer of the HM Cycling Club.

Ghana Cyclists Technical Director hails Stakeholders’ Seminar

Shaaban Mohammed, Technical Director of the Ghana Cyclists Association has hailed as successful and timely the 3-phase Stakeholders seminar organized by the association recently.

The third and final phase of the seminar ended last Saturday December 4 at the Media Centre of the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra with the Technical Director describing it a success.

“It’s been successful, encouraging and I believe it will increase interactions with the stakeholders. We have taken a lot of suggestions from the participants, we will weigh them all together and identify how it can help positively shape the sport of cycling in Ghana,” Shaaban told SportsInGhana.com.

The seminar involved among others cyclists, club owners and executives, sponsors and media. Accordingly, it was to educate these stakeholders and all concerned to know about the sport and its benefits, create awareness about professional cycling and the technical aspects of the sport.

“We want to take the sport in this country to international standards, that is why we need to sensitise the sponsors, media cyclists and general public.” added Shaaban who also disclosed that Ghana will play host to the rest of Africa in the paracyclists continental championship June 24-26, 2011.