ON Wednesday, the Bulawayo community and swimming stakeholders at large woke up to the tragic news that businessman, founder and coach at Stingrays Swimming Club, Edmore Cyprianos had died.
Althought details surrounding his death are yet to be communicated, Cyprianos’ body was found in the Matobo area.
Cyprianos is the father of Zimbabwe’s swimming sensations Brendon, Denilson and Andresious who have represented the country in a number of competitions around the world.
The Zimbabwe Aquatic Union president Mary Kloppers paid tribute to Cyprianos whom he said produced a number of good swimmers.
“We are all in shock. He was probably one of the most vocally passionate coaches I know. One always knew when he was in attendance at a gala as he would always be encouraging from the side.
I especially witnessed this in Botswana earlier this year where he was encouraging the entire team Zimbabwe and not only his club’s swimmers. He has produced some of the country’s finest swimmers of late, not only in the form of his own children but also many of his club swimmers. He will be sorely missed around the pool and our heartfelt condolences go to his family,” Kloppers said.
Cyprianos’ son Brendon annnounced his father’s death on social media on Wednesday.
“As many of you have already heard, today we lost Edmore Cyprianos, my father. I am at loss for words and I cannot even put into words the way I am feeling. A leader, a motivator, an inspiration to me and many within the community. Dad, my heart is broken. Every night I would pray to the lord to keep you safe on the roads as I knew you traveled a lot for work, but no prayer could’ve prevented this from happening. I’ll always be left with the question of why,” Brendon said.
He added: “You’ve inspired me to become the man I am today, and I have looked up to you ever since I was a child. My heart is heavy and it is full of pain. Dad I love you and may your beautiful soul rest in eternal peace.”
Denilson is head boy at Christian Brothers College (CBC) and he school also paid homage to the Cyprianos family following the untimely death.
“The board of governors, headmaster, staff and boys of Christian Brothers college offer their sincere condolences to Mrs Nokuthula Cyprianos, mother of outgoing head boy, Denilson, Andesious and Brendon on the untimely passing away of Edmore Cyprainos. This is a great loss to the whole CBC family. Mr Cyprainos will be remembered for his great passion for swimming, his unwavering support for the college as a whole. Our prayers are with the family,” CBC said in a statement.
Businesspeople, sportspersons and administrators took to social media to express the sadness over the death of Cyprianos, who is a former Matabeleland Amateur Swimming Board chairperson.
His wife Nokuthula, also passionate with swimming, is the current chairperson of the Bulawayo Amateur Swimming Board.
