By:
Peter Kamasa
Team Rwanda celebrate their success at Amahoro Indoor Stadium yesterday. Sam Ngendahimana.
More than 20,000 fans poured onto the
streets of Kigali on Tuesday evening to welcome Team Rwanda Cycling and,
particularly, Joseph Areruya, the 21-year old rider who won this year’s
La Tropicale Amissa Bongo race on Sunday.
Celebrations greeted the team’s arrival at the Kigali International
Airport at around 3p.m, and jubilant fans accompanied Team Rwanda from
the airport to Amahoro Indoor Stadium, where thousands danced and
praised Areruya and his teammates for flying Rwanda’s flag high in
Gabon.
While Areruya won the best individual award, Team Rwanda was named the best team at the competition.
“We went from zero to hero and are very excited to see the warmth and
the love from the fans,” Areruya told cheering crowds at the arena.
He praised his teammates for jointly working hard and emerging triumphant in the West African nation.
The winner of Tour du Rwanda 2017 Joseph Areruya becomes the third African rider to win La Tropicale in National Team jersey
La Tropicale Amissa Bongo is one of the most competitive and popular cycling competitions in Africa.
“On the last day of the competition I said to myself ‘you’ve got to
do it’, to peddle hard until it hurts,” Areruya, who is also the
reigning Tour du Rwanda champion, said.
Team Rwanda technical director and coach Felix Sempoma, said: “We
left for the competition quietly but the scenes on our arrival are
amazing, it’s wonderful.”
Team Rwanda in joint action with cycling supporters sing and dance Intsinzi at Amahoro Indoor Stadium
He said the team had not fully grasped how much their performance had
been welcomed back home. “It’s a fantastic atmosphere, we are so
grateful.”
Areruya, fondly known as Kimasa (Kinyarwanda for ‘bull’) within the
local cycling cycles, is the first African to win the annual race with a
national team.
On his way to glory, the youngster first won the yellow jersey when
he became the first rider to cross the finish line in the fourth stage
of the competition. He held onto the yellow jersey through the final
day.
The celebration parade to welcome Team Rwanda riders and delegation after winning La Tropicale Amissa Bongo on Sunday,
Team Rwanda is comprised of six riders, namely; Areruya, Valens
Ndayisenga, Jean Damascene Ruberwa, Didier Munyaneza, Bonaventure
Uwizeyimana and Rene Jean Paul Ukiniwabo.
Besides the prizes that Team Rwanda won in Gabon, the stars were also
awarded with different prizes during the welcome-ceremony in Kigali
yesterday.
Areruya received a complete DSTV installation kit and a one-month
subscription, courtesy of Tele-10, while his teammates, as well as coach
Sempoma, physiotherapist Obed Ruvogera, and mechanic Eric Maniraho
received a Canal+ full bouquet complete with one-month subscription
each.
In Gabon, Team Rwanda also won in the U-23 and best Africa categories.
Areruya is the first cyclist to concurrently hold La Tropicale Amissa Bongo and Tour du Rwanda crowns.
editorial@newtimes.co.rw
Team Rwanda delegation were treated to a hero’s welcome
Team Rwanda delegation were treated to a hero’s welcome when they landed at Kigali International Airport on Tuesday.
Rwandans were at the airport to welcome Team Rwanda
Rwandans have used many ways to congratulate Areruya Joseph
Rwanda was represented by six riders at the seven-stage race in Gabon
Joseph Areruya's family waits for his arrival at the airport
Members of media in action capture many rwandans who come to welcome Team Rwanda
Many local jounalists capture Areruya and Team Rwanda images upon their arrival at Kigali International Airport
Many flowers were given to riders as they come back home
Many cycling fans sing for joy to welcome Team Rwanda
Jean Marie Vianney Gahemba, Areruya's father, celebrates the victory of his son
FERWACY President Aimable Bayingana was at the airport to welcome Team Rwanda
FERWACY officials follow Areruya as he speaks about the rolling of the Tour
FERWACY officials chat during the event to welcome team Rwanda at Amahoro Indoor Stadium
Diplomats from Chinese Embassy hold Rwandan flag waiting to congratulate Areruya at the airport
Cycling supporters sing for joy as they wait for Team Rwanda's arrival at Kigali International Airport
Coach Sempoma speaks to the people who come to welcome Team Rwanda at the stadium
Champion Joseph Areruya and entire Team Rwanda delegation were treated to a hero’s welcome at the airport
At 21, he is also among the youngest winners of the elite race
Areruya is the first Rwandan to win La Tropicale Amissa Bongo
Areruya is the first cyclist to ever concurrently hold La Tropicale Amissa Bongo and Tour du Rwanda crowns
Areruya by his arrival to Kigali International Airport
Areruya and his parents pose for a photo at the stadium
Areruya and his coach Sempoma celebrate the victory
The parade from the airport to Amahoro National Stadium was organized to congratulate
Team Rwanda and members of the delegation celebrate the triump during the event at Amahoro indoor stadium
The winner of La Tropicale 2018 Joseph
Areruya lifts up the trophy as he arrives at Kigali International
Airport (Sam Ngendahimana)
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