Rwamagana-based Adrien Niyonshuti Cycling Academy (ANCA) is set to open the academy activities with fourteen young riders aged between 15 and 18 years. The academy was officially inaugurated by national cycling federation (Ferwacy) on May 26 with a one-day race dubbed ‘Criterium de Rwamagana’ that was won by veteran rider Abraham Ruhumuriza. Rwanda cycling federation president Aimable Bayingana told this paper on Tuesday that they are still waiting for some materials from United Kingdom (UK), where their partners, ‘Friends of Rwandan Cycling’ are based. “The academy will open its activities any time soon with a maximum of fourteen young riders; the idea is to start with a small and manageable number, if funds are available, we’ll expand it to include more riders as well as the female riders,” said Bayingana. He added, “The academy activities won’t stop the youngsters from continuing with their studies because we want to groom top professional riders, but who have also excelled academically; after all there is life after a cycling career.” The centre will receive support from UK’s Friends of Rwanda Cycling. The sponsors were attracted by the documentary ‘Rising From Ashes’ that talks about the growth journey of the national cycling team after 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The essence of naming the centre after Niyonshuti is to recognise his contribution in putting Rwanda’s cycling on the international map.
