David Mundell, British Under Secretary of State for Scotland, is rallying behind the Malawi Queens to win medals at the 2014 Glasgow XX Commonwealth Games.
Mundell was quoted on www.aipsmedia.com as throwing his weight behind the Queens after they beat Scotland 62-35, before the two teams later celebrated the two countries links, dating back over 150 years, through Scottish missionary David Livingstone.
“Malawi is everybody’s second team. We just wish them well. We would all like to see Malawi go on to a medal or winning position,” Mundell is quoted as saying after Tuesday’s Pool A match.
But the Queens can only retain their fifth place if they beat South Africa today. Queens play South Africa at 11 AM and the game will be beamed on SuperSport 7.
Scottish captain Lesley Macdonald also hailed the Queens who finished preliminary round games on third position with six points after three wins, including over Saint Lucia and the Northern Ireland; and two losses to Jamaica as well as New Zealand.
“It is fantastic having the sportsmanship. Friendship between the two countries is great and it is what the Games are all about,” said Macdonald.
Scottish minister Hamza Yousaf also paid tribute to schoolgirl Martha Payne who raised money to provide school meals in Malawi by starting a blog.
“The relationship with Malawi is phenomenally the most important we have. It is built purely and entirely on compassion. It is when Scotland shows itself in the best light,” Yousaf is reported to have said.
Malawi’s Unicef ambassador Monica Dzonzi was expected to visit Blantyre, the birthplace of Livingstone, on Wednesday.
