The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Road World Championship will take place in Africa for the first time and Uganda’s neighbors Rwanda will boastfully host the world’s most prestigious cycling race in 2025.

Rwanda was selected and grated hosting rights ahead of Morocco.

UCI which is the world governing body for sports cycling and the overseer of all international competitions confirmed that Rwanda won the bid to host the annual world event in 2025.

The news came as a reward to Africa and Rwanda in particular for their efforts in promoting the sport.

Rwanda stages an annual eight-day stage cycling race; the Tour of Rwanda around the hilly capital of Kigali.

UCI president David Lappartient defended the choice for Africa at the cycling's Annual Congress stating that by giving hosting rights to Africa in the 2025 is one way of thanking Africa for supporting the sport .

 “We have 54 confederations on the African continent and it was time we thanked them for their contribution to cycling,”Lappartient said.

On why Rwanda; Lappartient said:

“Rwanda ticks all the boxes; organizational, financial and of course on a sporting level. We all know the passion the fans will bring in Kigali. There will be a million fans out for the event, it will be amazing and bikes are a major development tool in the region.”

By granting Africa the host rights, Lappartient was in fulfillment of his promise of bring the world’s biggest event in cycling to Africa; a pledge he made when taking office in 2017.

Flanders is currently hosting this year's world championship.

Australia will host the event in 2022; Scotland in 2023 and Switzerland in 2024 before Rwanda in 2025. 

By Joseph Mary Ssempiira www.sportznow.ug writer.