Emirates Arena, Glasgow, Scotland
By Eric Batilo J. Fomba
Sierra Leone made history on Thursday with its first-ever participation in Track Cycling at the Commonwealth Games, as UAE-based cyclist Ibrahim S. Jalloh emerged as the fastest African rider in the Men’s 4,000m Individual Pursuit at Glasgow 2026.
Competing in Heat 1, Jalloh clocked an impressive time of 5:10.00, defeating Ghana’s Mohamed F. S. to finish first in his heat and record the fastest time by an African athlete in the event so far.
In the same competition, fellow Sierra Leonean cyclist Mustapha Koroma posted a time of 5:41.00 but was defeated by his British opponent.
The two cyclists will return to the track tomorrow to compete together in the Men’s Team Pursuit (Double event), marking Team Sierra Leone’s final Track Cycling appearance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
“This debut gives us so much hope. Ibrahim has shown that Sierra Leone can compete and lead in cycling. We are proud of both riders, and we are laying the foundation for the future of Track Cycling in Sierra Leone,” the National Sports Authority stated.
The Ministry of Sports (MOS), National Sports Authority (NSA), and National Olympic Committee/Commonwealth Games Association (NOC/CWGA) congratulated Ibrahim Jalloh and Mustapha Koroma for proudly flying Sierra Leone’s flag and placing the country on the Track Cycling map at the Commonwealth Games.