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The Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) is looking for a new head coach who will immediately assume the role of coach of the national cycling team ahead of the 13th edition of the Tour du Rwanda scheduled for February 21-28 next year.
The Rwanda cycling team’s coach position has been vacant since cycling’s governing body decided not to extend outgoing head coach Magnell Sterling.
His understudy, Felix Sempoma, took over as caretaker during the national team’s victorious campaign at the recently concluded Chantal Biya Grand Prix, in which Moise Mugisha emerged as the overall winner.
The race was Sempoma’s fifth major silver medal with the national team after victories at last year’s Tour du Senegal, 2018 Tour du Cameroon and La Tropicale Amissa Bongo in 2018. It also inspired Hadi Janvier to take home. a gold medal at the 2015 Africa Games.
Sempoma has a contract with the cycling governing body as deputy coach of the Rwanda team, but is reportedly not paid a monthly salary and receives bonuses depending on the team’s performance.
Some sections of cycling fans have called for him to be appointed head coach and, in an interview with Times Sport, the coach said he cannot refuse to take over the national team if terms are good.
“As of now, I am a coach of the Benediction Cycling Club and no contracts have been negotiated on the possibility of becoming the head coach of the Rwanda team,” Sempoma said in an interview.
“Of course you cannot say ‘no’ when the country wants you to make your contribution; everything will depend on the decision of the Ministry on who to appoint,” he added.
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Team Rwanda or Blessing?
Team Rwanda Cycling and Team Benediction Ignite are two of the three cycling teams that will represent Rwanda in the Tour du Rwanda 2021 and all eyes are on Sempoma to see if he will leave his club for the National Team if the federation calls him.
When asked if he is ready to leave his current club, Benediction, once the opportunity to coach the national team presents itself, Sempoma said there are good coaches, like his substitute Benoit Munyankindi, who can step in and succeed him at Benediction .
“For now, I am Benediction’s head coach. Taking control of the national team may depend on the results of contractual talks with the cycling federation. But I have no contract with any other cycling team other than Benediction.” said said.
“And if I’m going to take over the national team, I trust his [Munyankindi’s] The ability can take any team to the next level. We are at the same level in training and I have confidence in him that he can give good results to the team, “he said.
The federation still has time to decide who will become the Rwanda team’s next coach and could announce the decision in the coming weeks for him to prepare the national team for next year’s Tour du Rwanda.
