East African cycling tour in offing
Oct 07, 2015
Preparations for the start of the East Africa Cycling Tour as a major event to promote tourism in the region have started.
By Samson Opus
Preparations for the start of the East Africa Cycling Tour as a major event to promote tourism in the region have started.
The formation of the race got off at Lugogo when German rider pedaled off for the exploratory ride to Rwanda that concluded in Kihere in Kibungo Wednesday.
The minister of Tourism and Antiquities Maria Mutagamba flagged of the race that involved 40 Uganda riders who accompanied the German to the Rwanda border.
The event dubbed the East African Caravan is geared at promotion of tourism and cementing close cooperation in the region.
While launching the event, Mutagamba hailed the move as a good way of promoting tourism and regional cooperation.
“Tourism is a big industry in the world. Having such a race in our region will help us get our share of tourism revenue,” she said.
Michael Evertz who mooted the idea behind the race said the event has a big potential of becoming a major event that will promote peace and environmental awareness in the region.
“Sport has got a power to change the world. And we want to make it practical on the road,” he said.
After the Rwandan tour, the German ardent rider is expected to traverse the other East African states.
State Sports Minister Charles Bakkabulindi witnessed the launch of the event alongside Senior Presidential Advisor on Tourism and Investment Klaus Holderbaum.
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