{"id":118490,"date":"2026-01-02T17:59:03","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T17:59:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/a-mothers-role-in-a-junior-cyclists-rise"},"modified":"2026-01-02T18:13:59","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T18:13:59","slug":"a-mothers-role-in-a-junior-cyclists-rise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/sport\/a-mothers-role-in-a-junior-cyclists-rise","title":{"rendered":"A mother\u2019s role in a junior cyclist\u2019s rise"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Every afternoon in Bugesera, as young riders roll into the Field of Dream for training, one bicycle tells a deeper story than speed and gears.<\/p>\n

It is the story of Jacqueline Uwamahoro, a mother whose belief in her daughter\u2019s dream became the turning point in a young cyclist\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n

Her first-born daughter, Claudine Ahishakiye, a junior rider with Bugesera Cycling Team, once showed steady promise. But as school demands intensified and training sessions stretched to five days a week, her performance began to decline, not because of lack of talent, but because of distance and exhaustion.<\/p>\n

Unlike most of her teammates who study near the club\u2019s headquarters, Ahishakiye attends school far from the Field of Dream, making it increasingly difficult to balance education and training.<\/p>\n

Seeing the struggle, Uwamahoro acted.<\/p>\n

She bought her daughter a bicycle worth Rwf180,000, a decision that quietly restored consistency, confidence, and hope.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was difficult because her teammates study near Field of Dream, while her school is far,\u201d Uwamahoro said. \u201cI love cycling myself, so I didn\u2019t hesitate. I just wanted to help my daughter\u2019s dream come true.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bugesera Cycling Team is a youth development club nurturing 180 young riders, but equipment remains scarce. The club has only 50 mountain bikes and 23 road bikes, making it impossible to provide every rider with consistent access.<\/p>\n

According to club president Liliane Kayirebwa, lending Ahishakiye a bike would have come at the cost of other riders.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur training field is in Ntarama Sector, while she lives in Nyamabuye Sector, it\u2019s a long distance,\u201d Kayirebwa explained. \u201cIf we had given her a bike, it would have denied at least eight other riders the chance to train.\u201d<\/p>\n

Uwamahoro\u2019s decision did more than support her daughter, it eased pressure on the team and demonstrated the critical role parents play in youth sport.<\/p>\n

At the 2025 Play Day Race, part of the youth development competitions under the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) calendar, she finished third in the junior category, earning a third-place medal behind Ancille Uwase Uwizeyimana and Immacule\u0301e Izabayo.<\/p>\n

For Ahishakiye, the medal represented more than competition, it was gratitude made visible.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis medal is the fruit of my mother\u2019s sacrifice,\u201d she said. \u201cTraining became easier once she decided to support me. That\u2019s why I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Play Day Race is organised under the Power to Pedal project, which trains 108 girls and 72 boys aged between 12 and 19. The initiative complements the monthly Youth Racing Cup, while Play Day events are held four times a year.<\/p>\n

Kayirebwa says parental involvement is the backbone of such progress.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis project was created to keep our riders racing,\u201d she said. \u201cWe cannot reach this level without parents. That\u2019s why we recognised Uwamahoro to encourage others to support young riders who dream of raising their country\u2019s flag.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Uwamahoro, the lesson goes beyond sport.<\/p>\n

\u201cBicycles are part of our culture here in Bugesera,\u201d she said. \u201cSupporting my daughter strengthens that culture, but it also teaches her values, that doing the right thing opens doors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ahishakiye Claudine (Bugesera Cycling Team)<\/p>\n

Jacqueline Uwamahoro, spent her Rwf 178,000 to buy a bike for her daughter Claudine Ahishakiye who was had a dream to become a top cyclist.<\/p>\n

Ahishakiye Claudine (Bugesera Cycling Team) won the final race of the 2025 Rwanda Youth Racing Cup in the Women Juniors at Amahoro Stadium, claiming her first victory of theseason.<\/p>\n\r\n