Democratic Republic of the Congo to hold official funeral for cyclist Miguel Masaisai

The Democratic Republic of the Congo will hold official ceremonies to honor cyclist Miguel Masaisai, who died on September 18 while traveling to Rabat. The Ministry of Sports and Leisure and the Congolese Cycling Federation (FECOCY) announced a national tribute and a posthumous decoration to recognize his contributions.

The official program includes a wake on Wednesday, October 21, at the Tata Raphaël stadium, followed by a national tribute on Thursday, October 22, at the Cinquantenaire Hospital. The President of the Republic is expected to attend the ceremonies. Following the tribute, a funeral procession will depart at noon, with burial scheduled for 2:00 PM.

Masaisai, 23, was known for his 'Pedals for Peace' initiative, a long-distance cycling project aimed at promoting solidarity for victims of violence in eastern DRC. He had previously completed a 6,000-kilometer journey from Goma to Cape Town. Authorities have described him as a 'champion of peace' and a courageous athlete who represented the nation's colors.