The national cycling team, best known as Team Rwanda, has been invited to take part in the inaugural edition of the Uganda Tourism Race scheduled for November 21-25. The four-day race, which is being organised by Skyline Cycling Club under the theme Showcasing Uganda Tourism Potential through Cycling, will cover a total of 750 kilometers. Cyclists will ride through Entebbe, Wakiso, Kampala, Jinja, Nakasongola and back through the same route, finishing at Kololo Airstrip. In a communiqué sent to Times Sport, Samuel Batambira, the director of Entebbe-based Skyline Cycling Club, revealed that, “The turn-up is projected to be around 250 riders, a mix of amateurs, professionals, domestic participants and foreign cyclists from neighbouring countries such as Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.” “The preparations are moving on smoothly to host a successful race. The objective is to exhibit Uganda’s tourism potential through the sport of cycling,” he added. According to Skyline, the race will be flagged off from Entebbe by the State Minister for Sports, Charles Bakabulindi. Australian Garry Ronald, 61, is one of the brains behind the initiative. “Uganda Cycling Association (UCA) has blessed the championship with some support from Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). There are also enticing prizes that the winners and top performers will walk away with,” Batambira noted. Jacques Furaha, Rwanda Cycling Federation’s head of communications, confirmed the invite before noting that “Team Rwanda should be able to grace the race.” editorial@newtimes.co.rw
