Solwezi hosts first ever Duathlon

By NOAH SILOMBA
SOLWEZI played host to the first ever Duathlon competition which was organised by Mishitala Community Sports Club over the weekend.
The competition, whose theme was concluding “16 days Orange the world, End violence against Women and Girls now” attracted over 20 duathletes.
All the athletes were selected from communities within Solwezi and had pairs of two (male and female).
Helga Biyasi, the event coordinator said the whole essence of hosting the competition was to conclude the 16 days of gender-based violence activism adding that the turnout at the event was impressive.
“Our target was 60 players but due to Covid restrictions we had to reduce the numbers of participants. We hope to have more of such competitions here so that more people can be educated about GBV,” Biyasi said.
She named Kansanshi Cycling Club as one of the sponsors of the event through Kansanshi Mining.
The first pair walked away with a winners’ cash prize of K1, 500 while runners up received a Shoprite voucher prize of K500, courtesy of Kansanshi Mining.
Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts provincial sports coordinator Kondwani Munyeka was the guest of honour and applauded Mishitala Community Sports Club and Triathlon Zambia for putting up such a competition.
He urged Triathlon Zambia to continue with such works of promoting Duathlon in the district.
Duathlon is a sport which involves running, cycling and ends with running to finish the competition.
Meanwhile, Triathlon Zambia Secretary-General Johnny Zimba hailed Mishitala Community Sports Club for organising their maiden Duathlon competition.
The event which was coordinated by Helga Mutepuka Biyasi, a graduate of the World Triathlon Activator programme, was supported by the provincial office of the Ministry of Youth and Sport and the local mining firms.
Zimba, in his brief statement expressed his, and Triathlon Zambia executive committee’s excitement seeing one of its technical team member host and organise a duathlon event in her community.
He assured Biyasi of the federation’s support and encouraged her to continue working with the local community members and institutions for continued support.
In keeping with the event theme, Zimba appealed to “men to respect and honour women and the girl-child and to avoid physical abuse of women and the girl-child in homes.”