The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Sports Reporter
SPORTS, Arts and Recreation Minister Kazembe Kazembe has urged other sport associations to emulate Triathlon Zimbabwe in professionally conducting business in order to attract sponsorship.
Kazembe was the guest of honour at that 2018 edition of the Bonaqua Troutbeck ATU Sprint Triathlon African Cup held at the Troutbeck Resort in Nyanga.
“As Government, we are pleased and fully behind the efforts of Triathlon Zimbabwe, we are also happy to note that they have been able to lure sponsors especially given the economic challenges that we are facing, something which is consistent with our national Sport and Recreation Policy. This is what happens when you do things the right way. We urge other sports associations to take a leaf from Triathlon Zimbabwe.
“This competition does not only benefit the athletes but it also has spin offs which cascade to the tourism sector, It also helps us brand our nation as an international destination for investment.
“This is a very big event and that is why I am going I am here to officially open it. When you look at the different athletes that are coming from all around the world then you can appreciate that this is indeed a big and very important event.
“Our thrust as a government is to show the world that Zimbabwe has turned a chapter and this country is now open for business and welcome everyone who wants to come here with open arms,” said Kazembe
Germany’s Jonas Breinlinger completed a fairytale maiden visit to Zimbabwe by winning the 2018 edition of the Bonaqua Troutbeck ATU Sprint Triathlon African Cup at the Troutbeck Resort.
The 23-year-old, who was making his first trip to Zimbabwe, battled the incessant rain to complete the 750m swim, 20km cycle leg and 5km run ahead of the strong men’s elite field of 15 triathletes.
Australia’s Nicholas Free settled for second position while the pre-race favourite Jean-Paul Burger of Namibia claimed third position.
Zimbabwe will have to wait at least another year before they can have a winner in the men’s elite race after the duo of debutant Gideon Benade and veteran Rory Mackie came 12th and 14th respectively.
The 20-year-old Benade was making his debut in the men’s elite category while 36-year-old Mackie was making his first appearance in international competition for the first time in 12 years.
The duo are the first Zimbabweans to compete in the men’s elite category since the retirement of Olympian Chris Felgate in 2012.
In the women’s elite race, South African Cindy Schwulst finally got it right after crossing the finish line first to end a disappointing run of near misses in the last three editions of the race.
Schwulst finished second in the last three editions of the Troutbeck ATU Sprint Triathlon African Cup in 2015, 2016 and last year.
Schwulst finished ahead of Jayme-Sue Verma while Hilda Yah Yin from Hong Kong settled for third position.
