Ministry of Sports hails Tabitha as biggest sports ambassador
Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire has hailed the achievements of France-based women’s footballer Tabitha Chawinga as Malawi’s biggest sports ambassador.
The minister said this in Lilongwe on Thursday when he presented the Scorchers captain with the 2025 Regional 5 Sportsperson of The Year Award.
The accolade was conferred on Chawinga in absentia in Zimbabwe earlier this month and Mkandawire collected it on her behalf.
He said Chawinga invested her time, including resources and commitment to sharpen her skills and talent in sports and today she is enjoying the fruits..
Said Mkandawire: “In whatever we do in life, there is time to invest and time to yield. Likewise, in sports, as a country, we invest in talent development and other aspects. Tabitha is one of the products which the country has produced. She has represented Malawi well.
“It has also given hope to young up -nd-coming athletes and the general public that Malawi has great sports talent which if properly nurtured, would enable Malawi to effectively compete and win all sorts of awards at all levels of sports competitions.”
On his part, Malawi National Council of Sports board chairperson Sunduzwayo Madise said Tabitha has unlocked opportunities for girls in the country to thrive on the football pitch.
He said: “As Sports Council, we are excited to get the award through Tabitha. Without fear, I can proudly say Tabitha is the biggest brand in Malawi football. You are an inspiration to a lot of girls in the country.
“We follow you and almost all Malawians do as well. We love the fact that you are humble and, please maintain such a humble attitude. May God bless you.”
On her part, Tabitha said more investment in women football by government will transform the lives of the girls in the country financially.
She said: “We appreciate the support the President Lazarus Chakwera, government and Sports Council are giving to sports. It is commendable. But we need more resources in women football.
“I can assure you that football can be a gateway to financial success for girls in the country.
“We hope government will invest more in women’s football. We have been begging for resources for a long time. I hope we don’t sound like professional beggars.”
The Region 5 award is just one of the many accolades Tabitha has won.
The 28-year-old Olympic Lyonnaise Feminine forward last year won the 2024 French Professional Football Players Union (UNFP) Women’s Player of the Season accolade, 2024 French Arkema First Division Player of the Season and the league’s golden boot with 19 goals.
This is in addition to 2015 Elitettan top scorer, 2017 Damallsvenskan top scorer, 2017 Sweden Forward of the Year, 2018, 2019, 2021 Chinese Women’s Super League top scorer, 2018, 2019 Chinese Women’s Super League Player of the Year, 2022-23 Serie A Female Footballer of the Year, 2023-24 UNFP Division 1 Féminine Player of the Year, 2023-24 Trophées FFF D1 Féminine Best Player and 2024 Division 1 Féminine Player of the Month for February and March.
