Photos: YouTube Screenshots

Rwanda stepped up its bid to host a Formula 1 race by welcoming the global racing community for the FIA Annual General Assembly, a gathering of the sport’s top decision makers.

The event, held from Dec.10-13, brought together officials, drivers and sponsors in the capital, Kigali. It was the first time it had been staged in Africa.

President Paul Kagame, while opening the event, officially confirmed Rwanda’s bid to host the first Formula 1 race in Africa since 1993, saying the country was making “good progress” in its discussions with Formula 1.

Four-time Formula 1 Champion Max Verstappen was among those in Kigali, and will undertake community service in the city. A spot on the Formula 1 race calendar would be a major boost to the country’s plan to use sports to drive tourism. The country will host the cycling world road championships next year and already has partnerships with the NBA’s Basketball Africa League and top-flight European football clubs Arsenal and Paris St. Germain.

— Martin K. N. Siele

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