Member associations of the Association of Francophone Triathlon Countries (FRATRI) have, among other recommendations, called for an extended training program for more Triathlon coaches as part of the body’s development plan for the sport.

The call was made during the just-concluded FRATRI meeting held in Rubavu, Western Province last weekend.

Rwanda hosted the annual meeting for the first time since the local Triathlon Federation became a member of the body in 2016.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Rwanda organised coaching training sessions for 21 triathlon coaches from Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, an initiative from which member associations suggested similar training should be extended to coaches not just from the three countries but each of the 24 FRATRI member countries.

While the training was an initiative by Rwanda Triathlon Federation, member countries of FRATRI claimed that the body should get more involved in organizing similar training sessions every time a country hosts the annual meeting.

Laurent Massias, the Technical Director of FRATRI, hailed Rwanda’s initiative in to building capacity for coaches and believes Africa can be represented on the medal podium so often if more countries get their coaches trained so they can be able to contribute to the development of young players who can challenge for medals at big competitions of Olympic games’ caliber.  

"Rwanda’s move to organize training courses for triathlon coaches is worth acknowledging. With more training among other coaches from member countries, African athletes can win medals in the Olympics and other competitions,” Massias said.

The FRATRI meeting brought together delegates from 16 countries including Belgium, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, France, Guinea Conakry, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Senegal, Switzerland, Tchad, Tunisia, Burkina-Faso and host nation Rwanda.

However, some delegates followed the meeting virtually following recent travel restrictions due to the spread of the Covid-19 Omicron variant.

Alexis Mbaraga, the president of Rwanda Triathlon Federation, said that the meeting achieved its goals because member associations had enough time to discuss different issues regarding the future of the sport in Africa.

"It was a meeting where everyone freely shared their ideas around which we agreed on recommendations at the end of it. We want to see this body becoming an established one with a potential to contribute to the development of new talents in Triathlon,” he said.

Like Paris 2024, France is also preparing the Dakar 2026 Juniors Games during which Mbaraga is positive that African athletes will shine, with the body’s commitment in unleashing talents from young triathlon players.

"We want to see Francophonie dominating this sport in future Olympics editions,” he said.

Apart from capacity building among coaches, the FRATRI meeting also discussed the future of the sport through governance, financial status of the body as well as the preparations of the Dakar 2026 Games.  

The meeting was concluded by Triathlon competitions which attracted 29 players from Rwanda, DRC and CAR. Meanwhile, Augustin Rukundo was crowned the Para Duathlon champion.  

Felicien Hakizimana won the men’s Triathlon while the women’s triathlon prize went to Saidate Mutimukeye.

Commenting on the level of the tournament, Massias said, "When you look at the level of the competition, Rwanda is not that far. They are now focusing on building the capacity of their coaches and, with this pace, their game is on the right track.”