Chilima urges corporate world to support sports
Vice-President Saulos Chilima has urged the corporate world to take part in the promotion of sports through sponsorships.
He made the call during the fourth edition of the Malawi Sport Awards at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe on Friday evening.
In his speech monitored on Malawi National Council of Sports’ Facebook page livestreaming, Chilima asked the corporate world to turn back the hands of time when many companies were sponsoring sports competitions, athletes and teams.
Said the Vice-President: “You will all recall that back in the days, sports activities were numerous and vibrant because most companies were supporting competitions and teams across the country which provided an opportunity for our youths to take part in various sports activities.
“Because of that approach, Malawi was able to effectively compete and win various international trophies and recognition.
“It is, therefore, the wish of government and all Malawians that this country should reclaim that glory.”
Chilima said government is pumping in a lot of resources in sports.
He said: “Sports is big business and that is why many nations are investing a lot in sports.
“Government[is also] investing a lot of resources through talent identification and development, capacity building and provision of standard sports facilities.”
The Vice-President, therefore, commended the Ministry of Youth and Sports for introducing the Malawi Sport Awards, saying “they are a strategic programme of recognising excellence and achievements in sports and also to motivate our sportsmen and women to work even harder”.
He also appealed for mindset change towards what they perceive as their “favourite food”.
Said Chilima: “There are times when our sports athletes have not performed well because of that food. [But] that favourite food of ours cannot be a stambling block between progress and where we are sitting today.
“Osati game ya lero sitinasewere bwino chifukwa sitinadye . [We didn’t play well today because we did not eat]. There are other different types of food.”
Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire commended Sports Council for hosting a successful event.
“Government and my ministry have an obligation to provide sporting services to the citizens through policy guidance, infrastructure development, financing of national sporting programmes and oversight role,” he said.
At least 17 awards were presented with Temwa Chawinga being named Sports Personality of the Year.
