When a ‘small’ country dreams big: Reflections on Rwanda’s historic UCI Road World Championships

Earlier this month, President Paul Kagame spoke at an event in Saudi Arabia. One thing he said has stayed with me ever since. He said: “For my country, which is a very small country, we make sure that everyone understands that we are small geographically, but we are not a people of small minds or spirit.” Those words carry a truth that transcends philosophy. They capture something Rwanda demonstrated to the world just weeks earlier when we hosted the 2025 UCI Road World Championships. ALSO READ: Kigali makes history with the UCI Road World Championships You may wonder why that quote resonated so deeply with me. About nine months ago, I stepped into unfamiliar territory. I joined Rwanda’s sports sector to work on the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali. It was an entirely new landscape filled with technical requirements, international standards, and operational complexities I had never encountered. What began with curiosity evolved into one of the most intense, beautiful, and fulfilling experiences of my life. ALSO READ: Kigali streets turn into vibrant fan zones for UCI championship For someone who doesn’t even know how to ride a bike, working on a global cycling event felt delightfully ironic. But that’s what made it special. It helped me see beyond the sport itself. I saw the spirit of Rwanda in motion. This edition was historic in every sense. For the first time in 104 years, the Championships took place on African soil, a moment the entire continent had long waited for. It brought the largest participation of African nations. And significantly, the championships introduced the first official Under-23 Women’s Road Race, a milestone that found its perfect home in Rwanda, where women’s leadership is not an aspiration but a lived national value. ALSO READ: UCI boss Lappartient launches cycling development satellite in Rwanda The course itself etched its name in the record books. With more than 5,400 meters of elevation gain in the men’s elite race, it became the hardest UCI Road World Championships ever recorded, a gruelling challenge set against some of the most breathtaking landscapes in global cycling. There were long nights, countless reworks, and lightning-fast turnarounds. Yet through it all, one thing remained constant: we were telling Rwanda’s story to the world. We were showing that we are a continent and nation that dreams big and delivers even bigger. That we are a people who give our all and somehow find more to give. That sport has the power to unite, inspire, and remind us that with passion and vision, anything is possible. And then, after months of preparation, rehearsals, and relentless dedication, the moment arrived. When the races began and I saw the helicopter shots of our green hills, the roaring crowds, and faces glowing with pride, it all crystallized. Every ounce of effort suddenly made sense. The images of joy and unity are ones I’ll carry forever. The streets came alive with colour, crowds cheering, flags waving, Ganza, our mascot, dancing through the crowds, music echoing through the hills. People from different corners of the world gathered in Rwanda, dancing, smiling, and celebrating together. For a few unforgettable days, it felt as though the whole world moved to the same rhythm. It was beautiful. None of it happened by accident. This was a collective effort, from organizers and volunteers to government institutions, from media teams capturing every moment to local communities who opened their doors, and the fans who showed up in full colour and spirit. It took a nation. Everyone had a hand in making history. I had the privilege of working alongside some of the most passionate and dedicated people I’ve ever met: people who care deeply about sport, about Rwanda, and about building something that will stand the test of time. Their dedication embodied the very spirit President Kagame described: small in geography, never small in ambition. Rwanda has once again shown the world that while we may be small geographically, we are neither small-minded nor small in spirit. We dream boldly, and we execute with heart. The biggest takeaway? Nothing is impossible for Rwanda. No dream is too big for this country. And for me personally? This experience has transformed how I see what’s possible when a nation unites around a shared vision. I’m excited to see what we build next. The writer is a young professional motivated by the country’s ambition and eager to see what the future holds.

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When a ‘small’ country dreams big: Reflections on Rwanda’s historic UCI Road World Championships