RELIABLE sources have revealed that Rwandatel, one of Rwanda’s telecommunication providers have withdrawn their interest in bankrolling this year’s Tour of Rwanda.

Rwanda’s cycling federation (Ferwacy), the event organisers have been counting on Rwandatel’s financial support but the later recently confirmed that they were pulling out over undisclosed reasons.

This year’s edition will be huge after being drafted on the International Cycling Union (ICU) calendar.

However, Ferwacy president Aimable Bayingana is still convinced that they will raise the Frw250m budget.
"Although some potential sponsors like Rwandatel have pulled out, we still believe that the sum will be raised on time.” 

"We have contacted several other corporate companies and we are sure that everything will work out,” he added.

Bayingana also revealed that Rwanda’s cycling team- Team Rwanda is already building up for the event with tours in Gabon and Mali.

On top of African nations like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, South Africa, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Morocco and Egypt, the international tour is also expected to attract some of the world’s top cycling nations like France, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Greece and USA.

The event scheduled for November 23 - 1 December and covering a total distance of 1069km is expected to cost over 300,000 euros. It will also have eight stages.

The longest stage will cover 163.5km while the shortest stage will go for 33.8km.

Over the years, the premier cycling event has been sponsored by MTN.

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