Ferwacy boss pleased as Rwandan gets U.S training

EX-TEAM Rwanda rider Obed Ruvogera travelled to the U.S last week to further his skills in massaging techniques in a program Rwanda Cycling Federation president Aimable Bayingana calls “players’ recycling process”, designed to reduce the high cost of hiring foreign experts.Ruvogera made a name for himself in local cycling circles after winning the 2011 “Ascension de Mille Collines Tour”. He also finished 2nd in the fifth stage of last year’s Tour of Rwanda behind the Belgian Guy Smet, however, the 28-old retired from the sport last year and now he is pursuing to become the first Rwandan to work with local riders as team masseur.“We had no Rwandan qualified in massaging, which is why we were obliged to hire foreigners for our national team riders,” Bayingana told Times Sport on phone.Asked whether the move would reduce the federation’s costs, Bayingana replied, “Of course, yes. We used to hire those foreigners only for international competitions. In training and local competitions, we were not able to employ them [because of the costs].’’ Ruvogera will stay in USA for a month before joining Rwanda Cycling National team in Brazil at the end of August. Team Rwanda is expected to compete in Rio de Janeiro Tour which will be staged next month.Besides Ruvogera, Jean de Dieu Rafiki is another Team Rwanda ex-rider involved in “players’ recycling process’’, and is now a technician for the national team.After Ruvogera and Rafiki were tested in “Tropical Amissa Bongo’’ in Gabon and in Kwita Izina Cycling Tour, they are expected to assist Team Rwanda in Rio Tour.

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Ferwacy boss pleased as Rwandan gets U.S training