Authorities in Rubavu town are developing sport tourism as a new product to attract visitors and boost the local economy in the business and tourism gateway. Rubavu town is poised to become a leading sports tourism destination following the success of the Ironman 70.3 triathlon, hosted in Rubavu for the past three years, which served as a catalyst for this ambitious plan. ALSO READ: Rubavu city pushes for major face-lift Mayor Prosper Mulindwa emphasised that the district is investing in standard facilities and creating a sporting culture to attract both international and domestic competitions. We're planning to establish new tourism products as part of upgrading this city,” he said. We are exploring all tourism products, including sports activities. Sports need to be part of our tourism, as well. To support this vision, the district is set to construct a youth centre in Buhuru, a suburb. This new multi-purpose facility, which could cost Rwf928 million, will feature tennis courts, basketball and volleyball courts, and recreational areas, fostering local talent development. Business opportunity Rubavu has hosted three editions of Ironman competitions. The races attract thousands of people from across the globe, including sportspeople and tourists. The economic impact of sports tourism is already evident in terms of making profits for hotels and other sorts of businesses in the town, according to Mulindwa. Hotels are consistently booked to full capacity during the Ironman races, he Mulindwa. This not only generates significant revenue for local businesses but also inspires young athletes to pursue professional careers in sports. Beyond the Ironman, Rubavu is exploring new opportunities, including reviving the Rubavu Night Run and developing new mountain sports activities on Mount Rubavu. ALSO READ: Giants of Africa unveils new basketball court in Rubavu Furthermore, the district is collaborating with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to secure future editions of the Ironman triathlon. Mulindwa believes there a 70 percent chance for Rubavu town to host more editions. Currently, according to the district, more renovation of sports facilities is needed, including re-installing lights at Umuganda Stadium and other sports facilities for basketball and volleyball. Efforts are being put into swimming as a sport with the support from the Police Marine Unit in Lake Kivu, who will be overseeing the training of swimming enthusiasts. Local businesses support this initiative. Patrick Habumugisha, a hotelier in Rubavu, said Sports events bring a surge of visitors to our town, boosting business for all of us. However, stakeholders also emphasize the importance of equitable distribution of benefits. We encourage organisers to allocate participants to a wider range of hotels and restaurants, ensuring that all businesses can share in the success of these events, added another hotel manager.