National Sports

Chiwina offers to accommodate Commonwealth hopefuls

Chiwina (L) discusses his offer with Phiri
Chiwina (L) discusses his offer with Phiri

German-based Malawian athlete Kondwani Chiwina has offered to accommodate two local runners at his flat in the European nation where they will tune up for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

However, the middle-distance runner, who specialises in 800 metres races, said this would be possible if companies or individuals support the two athletes with air tickets to travel to Germany to sharpen their skills with excellent training equipment and participate in a number of preparatory competitions.

Chiwina, who carried Malawi’s flag during the 2006 Commonwealth Games alongside Scotland-based female athlete Catherine Chikwakwa, said he is ready to accommodate the two runners and provide them with food and medical cover for free for at least four months.

“At international competitions, most local athletes fail to win medals not because they do not have skills due to lack of advanced training and suitable nutrition supplements,” said Chiwina, who is a project coordinator at a software company, Balvi, in Germany.

“Therefore, I have decided to offer the help to increase our chances of winning medals next year.”

Chiwina, who was in the country for a holiday last week, said once companies offer the air tickets, he will process a declaration of responsibility with German authorities to have the athletes in his flat and talk to Phoenix Athletics Club in Lubeck for training opportunities.

“If you ask any successful athlete today, they will tell you that medals are not won during competitions but during training sessions. This is why I want my fellow Malawian athletes to go through excellent preparations before participating in the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

While appreciating the kind gesture, Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) president Godfrey Phiri urged Chiwina to put his offer in writing.

“This offer has come at a right time when we need more stakeholders to help our athletes prepare well for the Commonwealth Games. This is a blessing to us but it will carry more weight if it goes through Sports Council,” Phiri said.

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