AfricaPress-Tanzania: IT was a remarkably unprecedented achievement. For the first time in a fruitless, multi-year quest by Tanzanian marathoners to grab the choiciest spoils on offer at the Kilimanjaro Marathon, Tanzanian runners this year flipped the script and claimed the major prizes up for grabs at the increasingly
Indeed, it had hitherto been the case that the Kilimanjaro Marathon had become a popular stomping ground for foreign athletes, who called the shots at the marathon and in so doing lorded it over Tanzanian runners who were customarily reduced to the thankless role of mere onlookers as foreign athletes ruled the roost at the Kilimanjaro Marathon for many a year.
However, this year pleasingly turned out to be markedly different.
Indeed, in the men’s full marathon, which is the dreaded 42 kilometers race that is unquestionably not for the faint-hearted, a Tanzanian runner, Augustino Sulle, elatedly claimed the much-prized gold medal.
But this resolutely determined and admirable showing by Tanzanian runners hardly ends there.
For in the women’s full marathon, a certain Tanzanian athlete, Jackline Sakilu, also emerged triumphantly as the gold medal-winner.
Nevertheless, in spite of the aforementioned herculean feats, there are still more laudable Tanzanian heroics to come.
Indeed, in what was a stunningly gobsmacking overall display by our compatriots, it was another Tanzanian Failuna Matanga who put the sumptuous icing on the cake by magnificently claiming the gold medal to boot.
Wow! Indeed, this uncommon supremacy displayed by our athletes has immensely gladdened the hearts of countless Tanzanians, who for ages, (metaphorically speaking, of course) have been treated to re-run after re-run of the same-old nightmarish movie which seemingly perpetually used to end with foreign athletes claiming all the spoils up for grabs at the Kilimanjaro Marathon.
Fortunately, this year saw a radical overhauling of the established order at the Kilimanjaro Marathon.
Indeed, it is now hoped that this stellar and sterling showing by Tanzanian runners does not turn out to be a mere flash in the pan.
But, we can fret and agonize over the future at another time. For now, it is wholly fitting for us to enjoyably bask in the luminous glory of the overall splendid display by Tanzanian marathoners at the Kilimanjaro Marathon this year.
Now, let us move on to an equally pleasing matter. Last weekend, our very own Simba SC earned a barren 0-0 draw with Sudanese heavyweights Al Merreikh.
True, a victory would offer greater cause for jollity among football devotees in the country.
Despite that, nothing in the least should be taken away from Simba SC’s display against their Sudanese opponents as a loss would have proven to be markedly more disappointing.
What the goalless draw means is that Simba SC are still sitting prettily atop the apex of their group’s standings.
Lest we forget, it should be noted again that Simba SC were hurled into a distinctly tricky group which consists of Egyptian juggernauts Al Ahly, AS Vita of the DR Congo and Al Merreikh of Sudan, who, as we have seen, are not a football side to be trifled with.
And, it bears emphasizing again that Simba SC have defeated AS Vita, Al Ahly and have now shared the spoils with Al Merreikh.
Thus, in my book, Simba SC continue to imperiously be on a roll in what was a particularly daunting group.
