Jedidiah Amoako-Ackah’s Commonwealth Games dreams saved by bike shop

Jedidiah Amoako-Ackah, who has lived in Glasgow for 14 years, is to make history as the first track cyclist to compete for Ghana in the Games.

But a lack of top equipment had meant his dreams hung in the balance.

Now, thanks to Paisley-based Thomsons Cycles, the 23-year-old is ready to rub shoulders with some of the best cyclists in the world at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow’s East End.

Remarkably, Jedidiah – or Jeddie as he is known – took up cycling only nine months ago.

It took him seven attempts to pass the accreditation test required to use the velodrome track before he could begin training in earnest in November.

He previously excelled at boxing and judo but his journey to Glasgow 2014 began after being introduced to Ghana-born city businessman Sean Dyantyi, who owns rubbish removal firm Junk Me.

Sean was spearheading a project to assist a track cyclist from his home country to compete at the Games.

Jeddie said: “I didn’t have any experience of track cycling so it seemed an almost insane suggestion.”

Thomsons Cycles are the latest firm to lend a helping hand.

Jeddie said: “Thomsons Cycles have been incredibly generous.”

Martin Johnston, manager of Thomsons Cycles, said: “The shop has invested thousands of pounds over the last two years in ensuring that we have the best equipment to offer riders in all disciplines, so we thought we could lend Jeddie some to use in his Games campaign.”