Council, minister say 2023 was a success
Malawi National Council of Sports and Minister of Youth and Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda have said the just-ended year was a success despite some challenges.
In an interview on New Year’s Eve, Sports Coucil board chairperson Sunduzwayo Madise described 2022 as a year of incremental gains.
He said: “After qualifying for the Afcon [Africa Cup of Nations], the Flames were able to reach the round of 16, but unfortunately lost to a very good Morrocan team and we all saw at the World Cup how good our opponents are.
“The Queens reclaimed the second position in Africa and six in the world.”
Madise also cited the successful hosting of the Blantyre Marathon as another milestone.
He also said plans have been finalised to host the Mzuzu Half Marathon soon.
He said: “We also launched Sports for All where we plan to approach all districts and rejuvenate grassroots sports.
“We also had a second successful edition of Youth Games which were called Malawi Youth Games.
“We had a successful national athleticism meet at Bingu National Stadium.”
Madise further said in the just-ended year, Team Malawi participated in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England where Asimenye Simwaka qualified for the semi-finals of the 200 metres.
He said: “We hosted successful Region 5 Youth Games where Team Malawi won 44 medals compared to 29 in Lesotho last year. The youth games also allowed us to reassemble national youth teams for basketball and volleyball. “We hope to build on this nursery and have formidable teams like we used to.”
Madise said the hosting of the games also brought a lasting legacy through the construction of two magnificent structures, namely the Griffin Saenda Indoor Sports Complex and the Kamuzu Institute for Sports Aquatic Complex in Lilongwe.
He said: “During the year, we also got Bingu National Stafium re-certified to host CAF [Confederation of African Football] and Fifa sanctioned matches.
“Playing our home games in South Africa and other places was not only expensive, but also excruciatingly painful as it denied Malawians the opportunity to watch their Flames pakwawo_[at home].
“We sent a chess team to India. We also sent two hockey teams for men and women to Zimbabwe.
“I call it incremental gains because the gains were not giant steps, but we’re nonetheless gains which we can use as a foothold for further and greater gains.”
Madise also said they held a successful indaba and hosted a gala event to celebrate outstanding athletes.
He said: “Council also launched the sports association administration guidelines whose fruits we expect to see next year.
“Maybe the only unfortunate issue related to the ongoing problems at the Athletics Association. Council hopes this will be resolved early in 2023 so the association can have an acceptable constitution and usher into office a new leadership.”
Madise said as Sports Council they, therefore, look into 2023 with excitement. .
On his part, the minister also cited the successful hosting of the Region 5 Youth Games in Lilongwe as a major achievement.
He said: “The games left us a lasting legacy in world-class facilities.
“We can also not overlook the Flames’ performance at Afcon in Cameroon where they reached the knockout stages although they failed to qualify for Chan [Africa Nations Championship] on away goal rule.
“The Queens also qualified for Netball World Cup and also reclaimed the sixth position on world rankings.
Chimwendo Banda also hailed as footballers Frank Gabadinho Mhango, the Chawinga sisters Temwa and Tabitha, boxer Ellen Simwaka, chess player Chiletso Chipanga and athlete Asimenye Simwaka for making the nation proud during the year.
