Dr. Mahfoud Amara
Rwanda’s hosting of the Cycling World Championship in 2025, from September 21 to 28, is more than a sporting milestone, it is a statement of resilience and renewal. For a country whose recent past was marked by genocide, civil war, and forced displacement, welcoming the world to Kigali is a symbol of how far Rwanda has come in its journey of rebuilding.
The championship is an opportunity for Rwanda to showcase its modern infrastructure, from world-class indoor facilities to wide, clean roads winding through lavish landscapes.
The sight of Rwandans of all ages lining the cycling routes, celebrating together, reflects a nation reclaiming its pride and a shared sense of belonging. It also challenges narrow views of Africa as a continent defined only by conflict and corruption. Instead, Rwanda projects confidence through its global brand Visit Rwanda, now not only visible on the jerseys of international football clubs but embodied in the very act of hosting.
Yet, it is important to note that not everything is bright. Rwanda, like any country in the midst of rebuilding, continues to face serious political, security and economic challenges.
A cycling road or a modern arena cannot reflect the full complexity of life for its citizens. But do Rwandans have the right to celebrate this moment?
The answer is yes - absolutely. For them, this championship is not about erasing the past, but about proving that a nation once torn apart can organise, host, and celebrate on the global stage.
The Cycling World Championship thus becomes more than a competition: it is a reminder of Rwanda’s resilience, the difficult reforms that enabled its transformation - from rebuilding institutions after state collapse, to reshaping governance and economic management, to ambitious urban and infrastructural planning - and the possibility of projecting a new future. In cheering cyclists from around the world, Rwandans are also cheering themselves - asserting their right to move forward while never forgetting the road they have travelled.
Dr. Mahfoud Amara is an Associate Professor in Sport Social Sciences and Management at Qatar University.
