The Minister of Sports and Culture Julienne Uwacu has said her ministry will continue supporting the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) because of its impressive achievements.

She made the remarks during a visit to the federation’s head office at Amahoro Stadium on Sunday. 

"The Sports Ministry will continue to work closely with this federation. I am happy with the discussions we have had and I was able to see first-hand what the federation does and where the results we are talking about come from,” Uwacu said and asked FERWACY to be a beacon of success from which other federations or institutions can pick lessons.

"My request to you is one; I want you to continue being the shining example to other federations through what you do. You should continue setting an example for other federations,” she noted.

On the plans to hand over the Africa Rising Cycling Center to FERWACY as requested by President Paul Kagame after Rwanda won the 2014 Tour of Rwanda, Minister Uwacu said that in a few days’ time the cycling federation will be handed the centre located in Musanze.

She added that the final paperwork is being processed to transfer the centre, the home of Team Rwanda to FERWACY.

The Africa rising cycling center which comprises of among other things sixteen houses, a fully equipped service course, an education center, an organic vegetable garden is a ‘high-level’ training camp that cyclists from Rwanda and countries all over Africa train from.

In the last few years, Cycling has emerged as the one sport that Rwandans excel in at continental level. This was evident last year when 20-year-old Valens Ndayisenga won the Tour du Rwanda, one of the most competitive races in Africa.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw