National Sports

Malawi at London Olympics on solidarity

Following failure by sports disciplines in Malawi to meet Olympic qualifying time, only four athletes will represent the country at the 2012 London Olympics on a solidarity ticket.

The Olympic trip team leader Flora Mwandira said the four athletes will represent swimming and field and track events.

Mwandira, who returned on Thursday from South Africa where she attended an meeting of team leaders from English speaking countries in Africa, said Malawi has missed a chance to compete against the world’s best.

“We were supposed to send 10 athletes selected from boxing, taekwondo, tennis, swimming and field and track events, but all our athletes failed to meet the qualifying time. Because it is a must to send athletes, they will go on solidarity consideration,” said Mwandira.

“We have been advised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that even though the four will participate through the solidarity programme, it is essential that they improve on their time,” she said.

Mwandira said four athletes will undergo a month’s camp in the United Kingdom.

During the Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) annual general meeting last Saturday, the committee’s president Oscar Kanjala said from this year, they will be working closely with associations to improve athletes qualifying time for world competitions such as the Olympics.

At the meeting, Malawi National Sports Council (MNSC) executive secretary George Jana attributed Malawi’s failure to achieve Olympic qualifying times to poor selection of athletes.

“What I have noted is that you select athletes who are already past their best. This has been the situation for some years now. As associations, you have to scout for athletes who can really compete against the best,” said Jana.

The Malawi athletes will leave for the UK on June 24 and will be hosted by the University of Gloucestershire for a month. The Olympic Village in London will welcome athletes on July 26.

Related Articles

Back to top button
WordPress › Error

There has been a critical error on this website.

Learn more about troubleshooting WordPress.