Several months after a triathlon training programme was launched, Image Profession Sports Club (iP Sports Club) of Dar es Salaam has organised the first tournament to be held in the city on August 8.
The club’s secretary, Abdallah Chapa, told the ‘Sunday News’ yesterday preparations are in top gear. He said the one-day tournament is open to all sportsmen and women who wish to participate.
But he said since it is the first tournament it will involve only two events – cycling and running. “We are planning to start with a 10-kilometre run to be followed by 40km cycling race and finally a 5km run,” Chapa said.
He said they will not compete in swimming this time due to various reasons, but all triathlon disciplines will be involved in the next event.
“We invite all those who can compete in running and cycling to come forward and register so as to make the tournament a success,” he said. “I’m sure it’s going to be a wonderful and very interesting event,” he added.
The club is eager to promote triathlon in the country and for several months now it has conducted a training programme for talented youth.
According to Chapa, the programme involves talented men and women who can participate in triathlon. He, however, said the players they want should be 25 years old and under and must play all three disciplines.
He said the door is still open to those who wish to join the programme free of charge. “We believe there are many talented players who can use the opportunity for their personal benefit as well as the country’s.
The door is open to those who wish to realise their dreams,” Chapa said. “Training is free and we have qualified coaches who conduct training. All we need is youth who can commit themselves to the sport.
We would like to see youngsters grabbing the chance,” he added. Triathlon is a multiple-stage competition involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance disciplines.
While many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling and running in immediate succession over various distances.
Apart from triathlon, iP also conducts competitions in other sports like Frisbee and use them to promote tourist attractions in Mbeya region through the annual International Matema Beach Festival that involves different sports.
By MBONILE BURTON, Tanzania Daily News