Ghana’s teenage track cycling prospect Farrakhan Shaaban Mohammed faces a race against time to secure sponsorship for a UK scholarship that he believes could transform his bid to compete at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The 19-year-old, who represented Ghana at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, says the University of Derby has offered him access to specialist coaching, modern equipment and a structured training programme.
But the opportunity remains beyond his reach unless he can raise money for travel, living expenses and part of his tuition fees.
In an exclusive interview with the Graphic Sports last Friday, Mohammed appealed to corporate organisations and individual benefactors to help him take what he considers a decisive step towards Olympic qualification.
“My biggest goal is LA 2028. That will be one of my biggest achievements in my cycling career,” he said.
For Mohammed, that ambition gained momentum at his first Commonwealth Games, where he competed in track cycling at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow.
“I did my best to put Ghana on the map. I will say the competition was tough, but we did our best,” he recalled.
His Commonwealth Games appearance followed promising performances at the Tour du Ghana and the African Championships, competitions that sharpened his experience and reinforced the importance of sustained investment in elite cycling.
Mohammed believes bridging the gap between potential and international success will demand far more than determination.
“This journey requires a lot of intake — modernised equipment, a good training programme, good coaching, proper camping and good supervision,” he explained.
The Derby opportunity, he says, could provide much of that support. Access to qualified coaches, high-performance training and modern equipment would give him a stronger foundation to pursue Olympic qualification over the next two years.
“The school is ready to help me to qualify for LA 2028. I see it as a bigger opportunity for me to qualify,” Mohammed said.
However, securing the offer is only half the challenge. According to the cyclist, the proposed support does not cover all his educational and personal expenses, leaving him to find funding for his journey to Britain, accommodation, upkeep and part payment of school fees.
“The school is ready to offer everything in terms of coaching, best training programme and equipment for my qualification to LA 2028. Now funding to Derby, UK, is the problem,” he lamented.
With university entry periods in September and January, Mohammed says he has yet to secure firm approval for his departure. The uncertainty threatens to eat into a crucial preparation period before LA 2028.
“I am calling on sponsorship across Ghana to help me in this cycling journey. I am eager to put in my best to put Ghana on the map in LA 2028. I will do all it takes to make Ghanaians proud,” he appealed.
