Africa-Press – Rwanda. It is 9:43 a.m on day three of the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, and I am in the kitchen preparing lunch. Yes, you read that right, lunch in the morning. Why? Because I have an appointment to keep with the cyclists. My heart is full, my emotions everywhere, because this historic event is here in Kigali, Rwanda, and in Africa for the very first time in over 100 years. The fact that it finds me in a position where I can take part is a blessing.
I will be out there cheering the cyclists and celebrating every moment until September 28. Lunch has to be ready early because there will only be a quick break between races, and I can’t risk missing a thing.
Dore icyo bise gukunda igare! pic.twitter.com/TrncKTz41g
When it was first announced back in 2021 that Rwanda would host the most important cycling event on the UCI calendar, it felt so far away. Then preparations began, and today, Kigali is alive with riders and officials from more than 100 nations. The city is buzzing. The spirit is high. Everyone is doing their part.
Rwanda National Police has been keeping us updated on routes and road closures through every platform possible. Government officials, led by the Minister for Sports, Nelly Mukazayire, are constantly in touch with citizens, posting in Kinyarwanda and English, reminding us of the race routes and encouraging us to show up and show off in the Rwandan way, as we like to say, ‘birashyushye.’
Then there’s the team of volunteers, those young men and women in their colorful jackets, directing us, helping lost visitors, and basically making the whole event flow like a well-oiled machine. And the fans? The citizens? We are not disappointing.
Roadsides are lined with flags, dancing, clapping, singing, and cheering, for cyclists whose names we may know or sometimes have to wait to read the plaque on the car driving behind them. My friend Inyange is one of those driving behind the riders. Look at the opportunities available for Rwanda’s children; these are things lots of us grew up seeing in other continents.
#Kigali2025 is pure happiness
You can feel it in the air, see it in the smiles, and hear it in every heartbeat along the race routes.
Here’s what the fans are saying…#RidingNewHeights pic.twitter.com/LjtD1AqT3Q
The kind of images we saw taken at international sports events were ‘international’ in nature and forgive us for thinking if this were to ever happen in Africa it would not be in our lifetime.
Eh, only Rwanda can disapprove that kind of thinking.
In my neighborhood of Nyanza, Kicukiro, a DJ set up a desk. We danced to Rwandan and African music, sang Rwanda itajengwa na sisi wenyewe, and shared stories in between races, only pausing to shout country names as riders flew past.
A few days before the official kickoff, there were drizzles, here and there. I worried that rain might disrupt the championships. But so far, the weather has been kind. Well, kind to us as spectators at least, (we can use umbrellas.) I’m not sure how the cyclists feel about riding in this heat.
Of course, an event of this magnitude doesn’t come without inconveniences. Schools in Kigali have had to close, some communities are cut off, and businesses have had to adjust. On day one, I walked from Nyanza-Kicukiro to Sonatube, near the former UTB campus, trying to cross the road to make my way to KCC. I couldn’t find a crossing point, pleaded with police, and eventually gave up, walking all the way back. What an experience!
Naturally, some people feel inconvenienced. But no great achievement comes without a little sacrifice. And this, surely, is worth it. For me, it’s a price I am willing to pay.
In a sit-down with UCI’s first female Director General, Amina Lanaya, she told me that in her 20 years at the organization, this is the best organized edition she has seen. She reminded us that when Morocco and Rwanda both bid to host, she had wished both countries well. Today, she is proud not only as UCI’s leader but also as an African, that Rwanda has shown the world that Africa can deliver world-class excellence.
And that’s the spirit I feel when I stand on the roadside with my family, my little flag and phone in hand. We are not forced to be there. We are invited publicly, and we come willingly. We are out there because we want to be, because we love it. Rwanda is not only hosting to promote sports tourism but also to bring pride to Africa and to show the rest of the world that we can do it and do it even better.
This year, Africa has the largest number of participants in the championships. My hope is that the momentum won’t stop here. From Kigali, the cycling movement in Africa should only grow.
So, if you see me again tomorrow, voice hoarse from cheering, don’t be surprised, just know, birashyushye!
The writer is a media practitioner based in Kigali.
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