Kuipers staying positive ahead of Triathlon Cup
ANDIE Kuipers is hoping to build on her performance at the 2024 Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup as she shifts her focus to the next events including the African Games.
Kuipers was the country's sole representative in the elite category at the 16th edition of the event held on Saturday at the Troutbeck Resort in Nyanga.
She came fifth in the women's section with a time of 1 hour and 19 minutes 31 seconds.
The race consists of a 750m swim, 20.33km bike, and 5km run.
Speaking after Saturday's race, Kuipers said being her first race of the season, it was difficult but is staying positive ahead of another race in two weeks, in South Africa and the African Games due to take place from March 8 to 23 in Accra, Ghana.
“The first race of the season is always, I don't know, it's hard to perform at your best on the first one. So I will take confidence from this race. But also, I need to work on a lot of things.
“But I am only in my eighth week of training, so I have a lot of improvement to make even though I am pretty satisfied where I am.”
The 21-year-old is one of the four triathletes who will be part of Team Zimbabwe for the African Games.
The other three are Lorna Doorman, Rohnan Nicholson, and Callum Smith.
Kuipers is chasing qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and is hoping to get more points at the African Games.
“African Games is like my main aim. So, I will train hard . . . I didn't rest for this race and I won't rest for South Africa. But I will be resting, like tapering going into the (African) Games because that's important,” said Kuipers.
Elizabeth Carr from Ireland emerged winner in the elite women in 1 hour 12 minutes 7 seconds.
The elite men's title went to Ayan Beisenbayev of Kazakhstan with a time of 1 hour 3 minutes 59 seconds.
It was also a difficult day for local juniors with Nicholson and Smith finishing sixth and seventh respectively in the Africa Junior Cup.
Stanely Chasakara managed position eight and Mandlenkosi Mthethwa was ninth.
South Africa's Nicholas Horne and Anika Visser won the junior men's and women's titles respectively.
Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture Minister Kirsty Coventry, in a speech read on her behalf by deputy Minister Emily Jesaya, commended the organisers for successfully hosting the event over the years.
“The Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup, Troutbeck has created a platform where athletes can showcase their talent whilst creating sustainable networks that will further their careers.
“The value of the event as part of the World Triathlon ranking points system is critical for our elite, Under-23, and junior development categories. The event continues to provide a platform for higher levels of competition as has been the case throughout the event's history,” said Coventry.
Event director Rick Fulton expressed gratitude to the various sponsors that have come on board to support the annual event and the various volunteers that are involved in the organisation and running of the competition.
Coca-Cola through the Bonaqua water brand is the title sponsor for the event. Several other sponsors including Cimas IGO, African Sun, Ecocash, CFAO Motors, Rooney's, African Sun, Simbisa Brands, and MCM Legal have also come on board to support the event.
Coca-Cola franchise, marketing portfolio activations manager Zimbabwe Barry Otieno said they are committed to supporting the sport.
“Coca-Cola, a brand that resonates with joy, refreshment, and shared moments, is proud to be associated with the organisers of the event, led by Rick Fulton. Our commitment to supporting sports and healthy lifestyles runs deep,” said Otieno.
The event was also graced by Permanent Secretary in the Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Ministry Nicholas Moyo, Sports Commission chairman Gerald Mlotshwa, and Zimbabwe Olympic Committee president Thabani Gonye and representatives for the different sponsors.
CAPS United flexed big brother status as they showed the ZIFA Northern Region Division One Soccer League side, MWOS, how it’s done in a pre-season friendly match at Ngoni on Saturday.
They won 2-1 in a match they looked more interested in discovering their strengths than humiliating the hosts.
They left their fans asking for more, with winger Tendai Matindife grabbing the spotlight. Green Machine got their goals from Lot Chiwunga and Godknows Murwira while Tafadzwa George netted the consolation goal for the hosts.
Chiwunga opened the scoring from close range after the restart from Matindife’s brilliant cross.
In no time, Murwira scored a hard and low free-kick and the keeper could not help as he was vexed by Ralph Kawondera’s timed dummy.
Chiwunga did well to deflate the team’s Old People’s home status, which cast a shadow on the club’s efforts to regain their waning glory.
They showed commitment in all departments and recruits appeared to have grasped coach, Lloyd Chitembwe’s tactics.
Makepeke fans can only hope that Chitembwe and his troops did not travel to Norton to sell them dummies.
Matindife was magical and he was given the freedom to express himself.
He kept fans on the edge of their seats each time he received the ball, something which has been missing at the club.
The team’s fans can only hope that he is there to stay.
But the problem is that he has a running contract with Dynamos, which is expected to expire at the end of the season.
His camp does not want him to continue with the Glamour Boys.
They feel Matindife is being made a scapegoat at DeMbare and they were excited when CAPS United showed interest.
CAPS United chief executive, Morton Dodzo, told Zimpapers Sports that he has not signed yet.
“He recently joined our camp but we haven’t signed him yet.
“The coach is still assessing him and once they are done, we will share our position with the public,” said.
The club’s president, Farai Jere, was also in attendance.
Jere reiterated that he is responsible for the team’s poor show in the previous campaigns.
He said fans should direct their frustration to him, not to Chitembwe.
“Unfortunately, things have not been good for us in recent seasons but it’s not the coach who should be blamed.
“Players need to be motivated to produce results and that role has to be played by the leadership, not the coach.
“But, if the resources are in place, then I will not have any problem with anyone who demands the coach to leave and I’m still of the view that Chitembwe is the best coach in the country,” said Jere.