Africa-Press – Uganda. Rwandan President Paul Kagame has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to empowering citizens and leveraging the power of sports as a catalyst for national and continental development.
Speaking at the official opening of the Zaria Court complex—an integral part of Rwanda’s ambitious Sports City project—President Kagame highlighted the role of leadership in enabling others to thrive through supportive systems in business, sports, and beyond.
“There are many things I’m not capable of doing. But I learned that I’m capable of doing something—and that was to enable and support others in what they can do,” Kagame said, underscoring his philosophy of facilitative leadership.
The launch of Zaria Court marks a significant milestone in Rwanda’s vision to position itself as a regional powerhouse for sports, innovation, and socio-economic transformation.
The Sports City project, according to Kagame, embodies a shared national and pan-African ambition to build stronger communities and unlock economic potential.
“All of this builds communities, builds families, builds individuals,” he noted. “Statistics show that across Africa, what sports can bring to the continent is running into tens of billions.”
In recent years, Rwanda has made bold moves to turn this potential into reality. It boasts some of the most advanced sports infrastructure on the continent, including the Kigali Pelé Stadium, widely regarded as the best stadium in the region after its state-of-the-art redevelopment.
The BK Arena, one of Africa’s premier indoor sports facilities, regularly hosts international basketball tournaments and concerts, raising Rwanda’s profile on the global stage.
The country has also successfully hosted high-profile gatherings such as the Fifa Congress and Caf General Assembly, bringing together top officials and stakeholders from across world football.
Events like the Tour du Rwanda, now a UCI-recognized international cycling event, have further enhanced the country’s sporting reputation.
In a sign of its unrelenting ambition, Rwanda has also flirted with the idea of building a Formula One-grade racing track—a move that could position the nation as a pioneering motorsport destination in Africa.
President Kagame urged African leaders and citizens to embrace the growing sports economy, which he believes can reshape the continent’s future.
“What we do as leaders is to encourage people to be part of realizing that story—and reaping the benefits.”
Looking ahead, Kagame emphasized the importance of momentum, trust, and collaboration—both within Rwanda and internationally—in making the Sports City vision a success.
“We are not stopping here. We keep growing. We keep going,” he affirmed.
He concluded with a rallying call to Africans to believe in their potential and actively contribute to the continent’s transformation: “Now people believe. When they start believing and see things happening, then they believe even more and get more involved. And the sky is the limit.”
For More News And Analysis About Uganda Follow Africa-Press
