Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports
IT’S promising to be another exciting edition as Zimbabwe brace for the 2026 Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup and Multi-sport Festival due to take place on March 14 at the Troutbeck Resort in Nyanga.
This year marks the 19th edition of the Africa Cup that continues to attract athletes from across the globe.
Speaking at the launch held yesterday at a local hotel in Harare, event director Rick Fulton said, so far, there are over 20 elite entries from 14 countries.
“At the moment, given where we are date-wise in relation to the event, we still have a few more weeks to go, we have got 14 countries, 14 different nations sending athletes from around the world.
“A lot of these are Germany, Austria, as far as Canada, Japan, China, Israel, and then we’ve got African countries, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, so we have a fair spread of athletes coming in.
“We also have got on the list at the moment, there is well over 20 elite athletes coming in. We are obviously hoping for a few more juniors.”
The Africa Cup runs concurrently with the Africa Junior Cup.
Most of the juniors have been focusing on the Africa Junior Championships that were held recently in Egypt, which also served as part of the Youth Olympic Games eligibility criteria.
However, the organisers remain hopeful they will have good number of juniors at Troutbeck.
Zimbabwe will be pinning their hopes on Andie Kuipers in the elite women as she returns for this year’s event after missing the 2025 edition.
“The field is looking very good. I am sure it will be highly competitive.
“Obviously, we are delighted to have Andie racing in the elite women’s field, and we, obviously, will be focusing on that elite field.
“But the local entries are extremely important to us for all the multi-sport triathlon events that are on the supporting programme.
“Last year, we had a total field of 343 athletes participating on the day, and we would like to do better than that.
“We have had a steady increase over the years, and if we made 400, we would be delighted,” said Fulton.
Beyond the Africa Cup races, other events on the programme include the Zimbabwe Triathlon Championships, Tri-Kidz and Trisports races, Aquathlon, Cimas Corporate Triathlon Challenge, and Open Water Swim.
Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Emily Jesaya, who was the guest of honour said: “Government treasures the role of this event in enhancing Zimbabwe’s competitive attractiveness, drawing elite foreign athletes and visitors, and positioning our nation as a reliable destination for high-quality international sport.
“This even strongly aligns with the national priority of National Branding, showcasing Zimbabwe’s scenic beauty, hospitality, safety, and organisational excellence to the global community.”
Jesaya urged other sporting disciplines to emulate triathlon’s model of strong governance, dependable partner-ships, and delivery of quality events.
Triathlon Zimbabwe president Ross O’Donoghue said the event represents the growth of sport in the country.
“This event represents more than a race, it represents partnership, it represents national pride, and it represents a continued growth of sport in Zimbabwe,” said O’Donoghue.
Head of corporate affairs and data governance at Schweppes, Ropafadzo Gwanetsa, who was the representative for the title sponsors, said they are proud of the partnership with Triathlon Zimbabwe.
Yesterday’s launch was also attended by officials from the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Zimbabwe Olympic Committee chief executive Marlene Gadzirayi and representatives from different corporates supporting the event.
