For the very first time in the 104 years history of the Road Cycling World Championships, the global event has arrived in Africa, with Rwanda acting as the host. For African riders like Uganda’s Ronald Yiga, it means more than just a race, but an avenue to showcase their potential, and change the way people see cycling, from a poor man’s mode of transport to a respected professional sport.
For members of Uganda’s Fun Cycling Club, the closeness of the championships is life changing. “Often, these championships are held in European countries where we cannot go because we lack support from our governments. But now that it’s in Rwanda, we can even take a bus to get there,” said cyclist Aziz Ssempijja.
This accessibility gives athletes who ride with older, vintage equipment the rare chance to compete alongside world-class professionals, sharing the same stage as their idols and hoping to catch the attention of international scouts.
The event forms a major part of Rwanda’s long term plan to enhance its global standing through sports diplomacy.
The government has poured huge investments into infrastructure, including the $100 million BK Arena, and is even considering a bid to host an F1 Grand Prix.
For President Paul Kagame’s administration, such events are more than competitions, they are powerful tools to boost tourism, elevate international prestige, and rebrand Rwanda as the “land of a thousand hills” with world class sporting potential.
