Malawi officials in Botswana for disability conference
Malawi is attending a three-day 2024 African Union Sports Council (Ausc) Region 5 Sports for People with Disabilities conference in Gaborone, Botswana.
Malawi National Council of Sports spokesperson Edgar Ntulumbwa said in an interview yesterday that the meeting, which started on Wednesday, is being held under the theme ‘Inclusion revolution’.
He said: “It aims to develop strategies to address current issues affecting people with disabilities with a particular focus on women and girls with disabilities, in the post-Covid-19 era.
“It also aims to create a revised regional action plan that will serve as a reference framework for member countries. In addition, the conference will review the five pillars of the regional action plan, capacity development, advocacy and partnerships, governance and policy development, long-term athlete and coach development, and resource and sustainability.”
Ntulumbwa further said the conference will also review the Lilongwe Declaration to assess the extent to which the stated outcomes were achieved.
Council of Ministers for Ausc Region 5 chairperson Agnes Tjongarero said in an interview, the conference is being held at a crucial time “when it is necessary for the global community and the region to address the key challenges that hinder the full participation of PWD in sports and sustainable development”.
She said: “We are hopeful that this conference will result in the achievement of planned outcomes and produce results that will have a lasting impact on SPWD in the region.
Ausc Region 5 chief executive officer Stanley Mutoya said the conference will provide an opportunity for the region to assess the performance of the region and its member countries in relation to the development of SPWD, as agreed upon in Lilongwe.
He said discussions are focusing on adopting aggressive measures and interventions to enhance programmes and activities related to SPWD “with the aim of reaching as many beneficiaries as possible”.
Mutonya further explained that participants, including decision-makers, policymakers, scholars, and industry experts, are expected to help chart the way forward in addressing current and emerging issues.
The Malawi delegation includes Sports Council director of sports development and recreation Ivy Chinangwa-Kondowe, Paralympic Malawi president James Chiutsi, his vice-president George Galanje, Sports Council marketing officer Faith Mlauzi and Paralympic athlete representative Samuel Nkhoma.
Officials from Malawi Olympic Committee led by its president Jappie Mhango are also in attendance.
