•After a Rwf150m cash package from the sports ministry

RWANDA’s cycling federation (Ferwacy) is now Rwf50m short of the 2009 Tour of Rwanda budget.

Ferwacy’s supremo Aimable Bayingana yesterday confirmed that they had received Rwf200m of the Rwf250m needed to successfully stage Rwanda’s premier cycling event.

Minispoc parted with a whooping Rwf150mMinispoc while Rwanda Development Bank (RDB), OCIR-THE, Fina bank, Western Union, Soras, CNLG and MTN-Rwanda jointly raised Rwf50m for the 1069km event.

In particular, Minispoc’s intervention was a great sign of relief to the federation after increasing fear that the tour would be called off after would be primary sponsors Rwandatel’s decision to back out.

After handing over the cash package, the sports minister Joseph Habineza hinted that Team Rwanda’s performance would determine whether the tour will have a sponsorship increment next year or not.

"It’s down to the cyclists now. They have to perform well to give the sponsors reason to continue supporting the tour,” Habineza told Times Sport in a brief phone interview.

On top of their Rwf5.5m for the tour, Bayingana confirmed that Rwanda’s Telecommunications giant MTN-Rwanda would also throw their weight behind the classic wooden bike race slated for November 25.

Other notable contributions have come in from Sports View hotel, Chez Lando and Alpha Palace who have agreed to cut on their lodging costs as well as meals and accommodation for foreign cyclists who will grace the nine-day event.

Bayingana also revealed that Kenya airways had offered to cut on air-ticket charges for tour participants while Brussels has also pledged to do the same.

"We are proud to say that everything is going to plan. As we speak, we already have 80 per cent of the budget and with two weeks to go, we are sure we shall raise the other 20 per cent,” he said.

This year, Tour of Rwanda is taking a new twist. After being incorporated onto the Africa tour of the 2009 International Cycling Calendar (UCI), the championship is set to attract some of the world’s best cyclists.

On top of attracting riders from the East African region; Morocco, Egypt, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, USA, France, Belgium, Greece, Italy and Germany will also be in attendance.

2008 Tour of Rwanda champion Adrien Niyonshuti will lead Rwanda’s quest alongside four-time champion Abraham Ruhumuriza, Nathan Byukusenge, Nyandwi Uwase, Obed Ruvogera, Jean de Dieu Rafiki Uwimana, Innocent Sibomana and Nicodem Habiyambere.

The eight-stage event will have the longest stage covering 163.5km while the shortest stage will go for 33.8km.
Rwf13.2 million has been staked as prize money.

Ends