Kwita Izina gets UCI nod

KWITA Izina cycling challenge tour has been upgraded to a 2:2 race and will now feature on the International Cycling Union calendar according to the President of the National Cycling Federation Aimable Bayingana. The race, which was first held last year under the auspices of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) featured riders from Uganda, Burundi, Kenya and the host nation but according to Bayingana, the event is now going to attract some of the world’s best. Following the upgrade, RDB’s head of tourism and conservation department Rica Rwigamba has promised to up sponsorship. “We have increased our sponsorship for this race because we believe it is in line with our mission of encouraging Rwandans and other people from different countries to tour the different species that are in Rwanda,” she said.RDB is also expected to throw its weight behind next month’s Tour of Rwanda as well as African Continental Cycling Championship. Engen, Western Union, Tigo, Coca-cola, Ministry of Sports and Culture, CNLG, RAMA, OCIR Café and Soras have also confirmed sponsorship. This Saturday, riders will continue their build up to next month’s races when they compete in the tour of Kigali. The African Continental Championship will run from November 10-14 while the Tour of Rwanda is slated to run from November 17-25. All three races are expected to cost around Rwf 371m. Ends