KCB Rwanda yesterday handed over a cheque of $50,000 (Rwf28 millions) to the Rwanda Automobile Club [RAC] as part of the sponsorship package the forthcoming Rwanda Mountain Gorilla rally.

The cheque was handed to RAC president Dismas Kayibanda by KCB Rwanda Managing Director Maurice Toroitich in a brief ceremony held at the bank’s headquarters in Kigali.

In his remarks, Kayibanda, using a mixture of French, Kinyarwanda and Kiswahili, said, "On behalf of the Rwanda Automobile Club, I wish to extend our sincere appreciation to you [KCB]. This is a day we’ve been waiting for a long time.”

He urged other cooperate Companies to follow KCB’s example in fulfilling their cooperate responsibility. "KCB should be an example for other Companies to support, not only rally but other sports in the country.”

On his part, Toroitich said, "This is just the beginning. In our business, it’s a pleasure to support sports.”

He noted that KCB has a tradition of associating with sports, citing the example of the football and volleyball clubs that they bankroll back in Kenya.

"We’re committed to supporting sports in Rwanda and we shall continue to talk with RAC to see if there is anything more we do,” the KCB MD noted.

On top of the $50,000 cash package, KCB will also facilitate the screening of the rally on DSTV as well as what Mr. Toroitich referred to as "miscellaneous” expenses.

According to Kayibanda, the three-day rally will cost an estimated $170,000 (Rwf95.8 millions) but he said, "This $50,000 makes KCB the event main sponsors. Of course we have other sponsors, but today let’s only talk about KCB; others [sponsors] will also have their time [to be discussed].”

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