The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE 2022 edition of the premier sports tourism event – the Bonaqua Africa Cup Triathlon – gets underway at the Troutbeck Resort today (Friday), with a number of triathletes from different countries expected to compete in the undulating terrains of Nyanga.
Last year, the event saw a total of six Zimbabweans taking part in a field of athletes from different parts of the globe, including the multi-talented Makanaka Mawere.
At 17, Mawere has represented the country in three sporting disciplines, swimming, tennis and recently triathlon.
The international event, which has also become a flagship of sports tourism for Zimbabwe, is expected to attract global and regional athletes from countries such as Japan, Kenya, Mauritius and South Africa, among others.
Coca-Cola Frontline marketing manager, Faith Nehanda said: “We are proud to be the title sponsor of the Bonaqua Africa Triathlon, a global event sanctioned by the International Union. This event is a perfect match with our Bonaqua water brand, which has been recognised on many occasions as the best bottled still water in Zimbabwe.
“This is our sixth anniversary for Bonaqua as the official title sponsor. This alone demonstrates our commitment to sports development in Zimbabwe. Sport and entertainment partnerships are part of our DNA as The Coca-Cola Company,” she said.
Just like in its previous editions, this year’s event is loaded with multisport activities, including corporate challenge, aquathlon, mountain biking, open water swim among others.
Triathlon Zimbabwe president, David Ellis said: “We are delighted to our sponsors who have walked with us through thick and thin. These include Bonaqua, the title sponsor, Cimas’ iGo, Toyota, Rooney’s Events, African Sun, Troutbeck Resort, among others.
“This year we are excited to announce and welcome the arrival of Ecocash to the sponsor basket. We sincerely hope that they will enjoy the experience and the partnership for this event. We thank both Ecocash and the entire sponsor group for their support and commitment to this high profile event.”
This year marks the 15th edition of the Bonaqua Troutbeck African Triathlon.
Elite athletes competing in the event get world ranking points for the International Triathlon Union (ITU) ranking system.
This means that the points scored by athletes will ultimately become Olympic Ranking Qualification points.
The magnificent Troutbeck is well known as one of the world’s best resorts for triathlon sports and tourism due to the availability of safe, clean, disease and animal-free water, good roads within perfect terrain as well as a friendly climatic environment.
In addition, the Troutbeck hotel has all the required amenities for such an international event.
