World Triathlon

Liesbeth Stoltz, ITU Regional Representative for Africa and Kristine Chambers, ITU Sport Development Director reports that Triathlon has been heating up in Kenya since the November ITU visit by Kristine.

Mombassa Triathlon Club, lead by Mr. Mohamed Abdulaziz (head team coach) and Mr. Suleiman (team manager), sent 12 athletes and 7 coaches and parents to Mauritius to compete in the Mauritius Triathlon Championships and ITU African Continental Cup race on December 18.

Many junior athletes posted impressive finishes, including five podium finishes. Congratulations!

Stay tuned for more information about the Mombassa Triathlon on August 12-13, 2005. There are rumors that the Mombassa Triathlon is slated to become Kenya’s first ITU African Continental Cup.

Dedan Kariuki (Nairobi) and Sally Ndiri (Rift Valley) traveled to Tanzania in December to begin work on bringing more East African countries into the ITU family. Africa needs a minimum of nine National Federations to qualify for the African Games (multisport) and with these current projects, this may be a reality as soon as 2007.

The Kenyan Triathlon Association annual meeting will be hosted in Nairobi on January 14 to continue building a country-wide network of board members.

Several athletes and coaches are pursuing further coaching education opportunities within Kenya and abroad.

RIFT VALLEY
Sally Ndiri, founder of the Waterbuck Speedsharks Swimming Club, is single-handedly moving triathlon into schools in Rift Valley Province.  An interim committee will be formed on January 9 under the Provincial Sports office. The committee will set up training for athletes in schools and initiate an inter-schools event series.

The goal is to expand beyond Rift Valley province, once the system is established.

KISUMU (WEST KENYA, LAKE VICTORIA)
Chrispine Omondi, a teacher, world-class Duathlete and founding member of the Kenyan Triathlon Association is leading efforts to found the Victoria Lake Triathlon Club.  The club hopes to build on existing triathlon and duathlon events to expand the sport in Western Kenya.

Into a new year in Africa
February: Richards Bay, South Africa will host the South African Championships and test event for the first African ITU World Cup race, June 11, 2006.  ITU will also be hosting an event organizers course in February for representatives from all Continental-Cup race host countries.

March - ITU will conduct follow-up coaching clinics in Kenya (Kisumu, Nairobi) and Zimbabwe (at the African Championships)

June 11 - Africa will host their first ITU World Cup Race in Richards Bay, South Africa.  ITU will assist in school projects including a youth event, leading up to the World Cup.

August - Mombassa will host a coaching clinic and officials’ training seminar in conjunction with   the Mombassa Triathlon (August 12-13).