Archery course underway in Lilongwe

The long-awaited archery training started on Monday at Lilongwe Golf Club (LGC).

More than 20 participants are taking part in the course which will run for 10 days.

Former archery women world champion Urte Paulus from Austria is in the country courtesy of the International Olympic Committee( IOC) to facilitate the course which has targeted coaches from all the districts in the country.

“Mainly, I will train the coaches in the use of arrow and bow and other technicalities of the sport. I am introducing archery to Malawi the way it is played at international level,” said Paulus who retired from the game in 2006 to concentrate on coaching.

She said she is excited to be in Malawi and she believes once the participants get a grip on the sport, it will grow fast.

Archery Association of Malawi vice-president Charles Kapichi welcomed the course.

“We are taking a great step today in the history of archery in the country. The participants will now be able to teach the sport to others across the country. I am thankful to the IOC for their consideration in sending Urte. She has a great reputation and it is a pleasure to learn from her,” said Kapichi.

Retired boxer Leonard Metazama is one of the participants in the course.

“It is an exciting sport. I feel privileged to be among those to take the sport across the country,” said Metazama.

The opening of the course was attended by MOC treasurer Jappie Mhango, archery association general secretary Henry Sakala and Isaac
Phiri who represented Malawi National Sports Council.