Dutch hand-up for KZN triathletes

FOUR triathletes from the KZN Department of Sport and Recreation, based at the Prime Human Performance Institute, are, in the Netherlands as part of an exchange programme with the Olympic Training Centre and High Performance Centre.

The four EADP athletes are Mhlengi Gwala, brothers Mfanufikile and Mlandeni Radebe and Sebastian Crawford (Para-triathlete).

This has been made possible through an agreement, signed last month at the 10th International Forum on Elite Sport, to cement sport development ties between Prime Human Performance Institute (Prime HPI) in Durban and Olympic Training Centre in the Netherlands.

The agreement will see co-operation and support on athlete, coach and administrator development in both countries.

Lawrence Haw, the president of KZN Triathlon, believes that this exchange program would be beneficial for all parties involved.

“To have our athletes attending the best high performance centres in the world will be incredible for their growth and aspirations,” Haw said.

“The facilities and coaches are excellent, and the experience and knowledge that the professionals at Sportcentrum Papendal have, and can pass on to our athletes will be invaluable.

All four of the athletes will be taking part in the World Triathlon Series Grand Final in Rottedam next week.

Mfanufikile and Mlandeni Radebe will be taking part in the sprint distance event in the 20-24 age bracket that includes a 750m swim, a 20km cycle and a 5km run.

Gwala will take part in the Olympic distance event in the 25-29 age category.

Crawford, who is ranked seventh in the world in para-triathlon will take part in the PT3 category. – ANA