Sports celebs in town

Some sports personalities on Monday told Nation Online how they are going to spend the festive season.

Revered soccer stars Peter Mponda, Joseph Kamwendo and Gabadinho Mhango, Football Association of Malawi president Walter Nyamilandu his Sulom counterpart Innocent Bottomani, Queens captain Caroline Mtukule-Ngwira and top golfer Paul Chidale said they will spend the occasion with their families and friends.

Mponda said he will attend prayers with his family and then go out for lunch.

“There is nothing much. The plans are to go to church with my wife Tina and our two boys. Later, we will probably go out to have special lunch,” he said.

Kamwendo said he will spend the day with his parents in the village in Mchinji.

“I have arranged a small do and prayers. I just want to chill out with my family and other relatives in Mchinji. We will also have a session of prayers to thank God Almighty for the good things he has done for us,” he said.

On his part, Gabadinho said he will party with friends in his Chilobwe Township.

“We have organised a party with friends in our neighbourhood just to have a bit of fun,” he said.

Nyamilandu said he will spend most of the day at home with his children.

“It will be low-key having lost a loved one recently. It will be time to reflect at home and I will also attend prayers at church,” he said.

Bottomani also said he will attend prayers at church and then have fun with his family and friends.

Mtukule-Ngwira said she will attend special prayers and then have a good time with her family.

“It is time to rejoice and make merry. So, we will take time off to have fun and also attend special prayers at church in Ndirande,” she said.

Golfer Chidale also said he will have fun with friends.

Most foreign-based players such as Robert Ng’ambi, Robin Ngalande, Atusaye Nyondo, Jimmy Zakazaka, Peter Wadabwa, Limbikani Mzava, James Sangala, Simplex Nthala and Zicco Mkanda are also in the country for the festive break.

Bottomani has, however, asked soccer players to celebrate responsibly.

He told Nation Online on Saturday that during such festivities some public figures, such as football players, forget that they are role models in society.

“We have young players who have come into football limelight, whom, we need to guide. So we are appealing to all Super League players that they should behave responsibly so that we can enter the New Year in good health. We would also like to wish all team officials, soccer fraternity, stakeholders and Football Association of Malawi (FAM) a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year,” said Bottomani.

He described the year 2012 as successful despite having its own challenges.

“We are pleased that those challenges were dressed positively and we thank the teams for their understanding and for coming up with positive criticism.

“This year we have seen new talent emerging from young players such as Micium Mhone of Blue Eagles and Gabandiho Mhango of Bullets who have been drafted into the national team. These young players have been dominating in both league and cup games, scooping awards. This is a good development to us as Sulom,” said Bottomani.