Online ReporterEllina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT seems Triathlon Zimbabwe’s efforts to increase the numbers in the sport is paying off, with the schools’ series initiative bringing in more young aspiring athletes.
The series saw Abbeys Preparatory School, Springvale House, St. John’s Preparatory School, Hellenic, Wise Owl, Harare International, and St Michael’s taking part in three races that were spread from last October to this month.
The last race was held on Sunday at Mount Pleasant Pool, and St Michael’s were the hosts.
Speaking at the end of the series head of sports at St Michael’s, Ronny Mutopo said there has been a positive response from the schools as the numbers have continuously improved from the first race.
More than 100 participants were on course on Sunday.
“I think the series has been good.
“We have had good turnouts in terms of the numbers, in terms of the guys that are participating.
“It’s good to see, especially the number of athletes increasing because when we started, we didn’t have as many triathletes as now. It’s good to see an improvement.
“I think from when we started up to now, we have seen huge growth in terms of the triathletes.”
The plan is to spread the sport to more schools next season.
“Next season our goal as schools we to try to grow the sport . . . Our goal is to just continue to spread the sport across all schools,” added Mutopo.
Triathlon Zimbabwe vice president Pamela Fulton believes the initiative is starting to pay off, with some of the young athletes having also joined some of their main events.
It used to be a two-race event, with Springvale hosting the inaugural competition in 2022.
However, for the current season, Triathlon Zimbabwe added one more race to make them three, with different schools hosting.
“Our goal of starting the school series is to hopefully get some of those school athletes to come and attend our regular events and go into the selection categories.
“And we have definitely benefited from that. Wise Owl has a couple of athletes who are now competing in selection for the first time.
“And also, the Harare International School, they have got a couple of their athletes also racing in selection.
“It’s definitely increased the numbers and the standard of the selection to make it a little bit more challenging to qualify,” said Fulton.
Fulton believes there is still room for improvement.
“It has definitely helped us with what we are trying to achieve there on the selection side.
“But it’s also in our everyday races; we would still like more of them to come and support us in our other non-school events.
“We put a lot of effort into it, and yes, we know it’s not going to happen overnight.
“We have had some of the schools saying, can we start the aquathlon series again?
“So yes, lots and lots of development projects, and it’s all about bringing the athletes here and having fun and bringing their families here.”
The national association used to stage the aquathlon (which consists of running and swimming) events, but the numbers dwindled.
With the 2024-2025 season in its final phase, it will give them time to reconsider during the break and plan for next season.
