US-based tennis star needs K5m after losing scholarship
US-based Malawian tennis player Tadala Kandulu has taken to the Internet to raise funds for school fees after losing part of her sports scholarship.
Kandulu needs about $7 000 (about K5.1 million) to complete her tertiary education at Southern Wesleyan University in South Carolina.
The player has since been using GoFundMe, an Internet website for fundraising to ask for funds from well-wishers.
left: Kandulu
“I got the opportunity of a lifetime to come to America and play college tennis for Southern Wesleyan University, all thanks to Parke Morris and his family for their support. However, it wasn’t easy to get through the NCAA [National Collegiate Athletic Association] and as a result, I was penalised and only given two years of eligibility.
“I didn’t know what it meant until I came and realised that I would not be on scholarship for one semester of my three- year programme to get a college degree from Southern Wesleyan University.”
“Not being on scholarship means that I have to raise money to fund myself for this last semester. I have been working for the school cafeteria as long as I have been attending school to pay for books, housing and other expenses.
“Since losing the sports scholarship money, I find myself in a very hard place to pay for my final semester at Southern Wesleyan University. Dear beloved, help me in raising this money. Any little amount of money would make a big difference. My goal is to raise $7 000 to complete my studies and earn a college degree,” Kandulu pleads on GoFundMe.
The player said she has been outstanding at Southern Wesleyan University where she has helped her school team win trophies while also making strides in her studies. She helped her team win Regional Championship title in 2016 for the first time in the school’s history.
Her team also qualified for NCAA D2 knockout stages this year. They also made it to quarter-finals of NCAA D2 in 2016.
“Academically, I have received NCAA scholar awards for highest GPA for women’s soccer team. I have also made the All Conference Academic list four times in a row. My current GPA standing is 3.79,” said Tadala.
National coach Thompson Mtengula said he was not aware of the player’s predicament.
“She got a three-year full scholarship in 2014. Actually, I am hearing it from you that she lost part of her scholarship and has to pay that money to complete her studies. But I will get in touch with her to find out what happened,” he said.
US national Morris spotted Kandulu when he came to Malawi to donate some tennis items at the Blantyre Youth Centre. n
