According to Mark Mugarura, the brewer’s marketing manager, Skol’s sponsorship was to a tune of USD 50,000, a sponsorship they plan to up in the coming years.
As part of our social cooperate responsibility, we have a duty to support different activities, sport being one of them, said Mugarura adding that the event was a chance to showcase Rwanda to the rest of the world since participants were drawn from all over and Skol was proud to sponsor such a big event.
A total of 15 teams contended for the top prize in the 2012 Cycling Tour of Rwanda. Rwanda was represented by Akagera and Kalisimbi teams with both sides fielding 12 riders. There were also other African teams including Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Morocco, Algeria, Cameroun and Gabon. Teams from Europe included Team Quebecor Garneau (Canada), Team Reine Blanche Rhone Alpes (France), Equipe Regionale de la Reunion (France), Team AVIA Flanders (Belgique). The professional teams were SANOFI Team Type 1 (USA) and Team MTN Quebeka (South Africa). Darren Lill from South Africa was crowned the overall winner of the race at its conclusion.
The 30 years old rider who wore the jersey of the South African National team controlled the race situation without panic to win his first race of his professional career. He is currently under contract with Team Bonitas, a professional team based in South Africa.
This is a great victory for me because I had to fight to get the win, he said after the finish. It was a tough one as I was battling against worldclass riders but managed to triumph due to the hard training I did before the competition. I will keep a great memory, said Lill.
At the closure of the Tour, Skol Brewery ltd hosted the cyclists who took part in the competition at a function held at T2000, a popular entertainment spot in Kigali.
Among the dignitaries who graced the event were Sports Minister,Protais Mitali and cycling federation chairman Aimable Bayingana. At the event, the minister and the cycling federation chairman presented certificates to sponsors and partners of the 2012 Tour Du Rwanda. Bayingana acknowledged all the major sponsors for making the Tour du Rwanda successful and fans for their enthusiasm during the competition. gratitude to Skol Brewery and other main sponsors for making the 2012 cycling tour a success. The cycling federation thanks Skol for this partnership and hopes for more strong ties in the coming furure, said the federation president.
Johan Desmet Van Damme, Skol Commercial Director, on his part, promised to be part of the sport every year. Tour du Rwanda has now become the biggest sporting event in Rwanda and we are proud to be part of this event, said Van Damme. To mark the climax of the evening, Skol Rock Band enthralled the crowd with its unique sound preserving the pace of Rwanda’s Old school music-Igisope. To add to the music tones, the brewer ensured that the cyclists and other guests were served with chilled free Skol, the countryís 100% malt beer and snacks. MC HervÈ Kimenyi of Comedy Knights showecased the best of his game mastery, entertaining patrons with his great sense of humour. According to the organisers, this yearís Tour du Rwanda cost an estimated Rwf400million.