Basmal secures K34m for courts
Basketball Association of Malawi (Basmal) has received a grant of $50 000 (about K34 million) from Dawn Stalley Initiative through the United States Embassy to build two outdoor courts.
According to Basmal general secretary Edgar Ng’ong’ola, this is part of infrastructure development programme after the association submitted a proposal to Dawn Stalley to help them build basketball courts.
“Our dream has finally come true and we would like to thank Dawn Stalley and the United States Embassy for working with Basmal tirelessly to get this assistance,” said Ng’ong’ola yesterday in Lilongwe.
“She has also pledged to support us through our infrastructure development programme by building two basketball courts in each district in Malawi if this first phase is successful.”
He said Basmal has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dawn Stalley Initiative in which the organisation will train referees and coaches.
Stalley, an American basketball hall of fame player and coach, will conduct referees and coaches clinics in Malawi.
Meanwhile, Minister of Sports and Culture Grace Chiumia has promised to sucure, land for the construction of the courts.
Stalley is a three-time Olympian and was selected to carry the United States flag at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Takondwa Mengezi, captain of Lilongwe-based side Cougars, said the number of teams is growing as such there is urgent need for construction of more courts not only in Lilongwe but across the country
“It is a welcome development. The country needs more courts. In Lilongwe we have two main courts yet there are lots of teams,” he said.
