Alem Mumuni Makes Olympics History
Source: By Theodore M. K. Viwotor
Ghana and Africa’s C2 Paracycling champion, Alem Mumuni, has once again made history as the first Ghanaian cyclist to ever qualify to the Olympics Games by making the time for this year’s Paralympics in London.
He is one of the only two paracyclists in Africa to have qualified to the Paralympics in the C2 category- the other one is from South Africa.
The disabled cyclist, who currently holds the African C2 Paracycling title, a title he has defended on three consecutive occasions, is therefore stepping up training, in preparation for the Paralympics scheduled for London from August 29 to September 9, this year.
Born to peasant farmers in the Garu-Tempane District of the Upper West Region of Ghana some 29 years ago, Alem became disabled through poliomyelitis at the age of 2, but undaunted by his predicament, he has weathered the storm and is now raising the flag of Ghana high in the world.
Alem has set many impressive records across the globe and is still stepping up efforts to continue to register Ghana’s name in the annals of the Paralympics. He remains the first African to have appeared in the World Paracycling Championship in Italy in 2009, where he placed a respectable 7th in the world.
He is also the first Ghanaian and African to have registered on the UCI calendar in the C2 championship in Niger in 2009, where he won the African championship in that category. To ensure that he makes a significant impact in London, Alem Mumuni has registered for the UCI tournament in Rome, Italy from May 25-27, to sharpen his skills and keep him in shape for the London events.
However, he is facing the huge challenge of raising funds to cater for his expenses; but the determined paracyclist is very optimistic corporate Ghana and other philanthropists would come to his aid. “I am very hopeful Ghanaians, both corporate bodies and individuals would come to my aid to ensure that I am well prepared for the Paralympics in order to make a significant impact for Ghana,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to Mr. Issah Yahaya-the man who shot him into limelight-the Ghana Cycling Federation (GCF), Right to Dream, the Ghana Society for the Physically Disabled (GSPD), the National Paralympic Committee (NPC), USAID, his family, friends, fans and many others whose names space and time would not allow him to mention.
He disclosed that he would soon be embarking on a special project with his Foundation to raise funds for the physically challenged, orphans, and also to contribute to peaceful elections in Ghana.
He, therefore, called on all to remember him in their prayers as he makes Ghana proud at the Paralympics.
