Cogebanque has promoted cycling talent through Eastern Province Challenge among young aspiring Rwandans.
The race sponsored by Cogebanque took place in Rwamagana district on Saturday 14th December 2019, attracting young riders in women and men categories from different districts of Eastern Province and brought much delight to residents from different suburbs to witness the challenge.
Through the Eastern Province Challenge, the best performers stand chance to join Les Amis Sportifs, a Rwamagana based team sponsored by Cogebanque.
The race saw riders setting off in front of Cogebanque Rwamagana branch whereby participants in women category covered 19.4km track along different suburbs of Rwamagana while racers in men category covered 32 km before crossing the finishing line in front of Police headquarters in Rwamagana town.
The competition attracted a total of 64 participants from two categories including 11 girls and 53 participants in men’s category.
Goreth Niyobyose emerged winner in women category and received Rwf 60,000 while Ruben Ikundabayo emerged winner in men category and walked away with Rwf 50,000 and a bicycle.
Cogebanque rewarded five winners from women category and 10 winners from the category of men riders who walked away with prizes ranging from bicycles and cash prizes up to Rwf 50,000.
It also brought excitement to Rwamagana residents with local popular singer ‘Danny Vumbi’.
After awarding winners, Antoine Iyamuremye, Head of Marketing and Product Development said that race organized for the second time was to unleash potential of young talented riders to showcase e their talents.
This gives winners chance to join Les Amis Sportifs where they receive new equipment to ride as professionals.
“You will see them next year competing along with other professional local riders. The efforts are bearing fruits that Les Amis Sportifs won Rwanda Cycling Cup in men juniors. Rwamagana residents were excited to witness the race in which their very own children were participating, an opportunity for us to show them that we are together in different aspects of life and reminding them of our services as well,” he said.
“We have a branch here in Rwamagana town, withdrawal and deposits; we have quite a number of agents. We take this opportunity to remind them to embrace our services and thank them for being loyal as we mark 20 years of existence with a lot of innovations and new products on the market including the mortgage loan, Gisubizo Loan Express, among others. We welcome them to enjoy our top notch services as we move forward to taking further the country’s targets of going cashless,” added Iyamuremye.
The Head Coach of Les Amis Sportifs, Yusuf Sebugwiza appreciated Cogebanque ‘s involvement in organizing the race annually.
“We will hopefully demonstrate better performance next year. The recent performance of Les Amis Sportifs emerging winner in men juniors’ category demonstrates fruitful results of efforts expended by sponsors,” he noted.
Winners:
Women category
1. Niyobyose Goreth
2. Queen Djazira
3. Irakoze Aline
4. Ingabire Confiance
5. Benegusenga Denise
Men category
1. Ikundabayo Ruben
2. Iradukunda Idrisa
3. Niyonkuru samuel
4.Bikorimana Theoneste
5. Niyigena Jean D’Amoour
6. Bihezande Alphonse,
7.Iradukunda Daniel
8.Niyonkuru Emmanuel
9. Niyomungeri Abba
10. Mukurizehe Anastase