Moyale, Support Battalion retain MDF inter-unit trophies
Moyale Barracks and Support Battalion athletics teams on Friday retained the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) inter-unit cross country championship at Zomba Gymkhana Club.
The athletes competed in the 12-kilometre race category for men and 10-kilometre category for the ladies. The Mzuzu-based soldiers showed characteristic grit to defend the title in the men category and amassed 28 points.
They were followed by Kamuzu Barracks on second position. Cobbe Barracks came third.
Moyale received K300 000 plus a trophy whereas Kamuzu Barracks received K250 000.
Cobbe Barracks got K200 000, as third-placed team.
In the women’s category, Support Battalion emerged the winner and received K250 000 plus a trophy whereas Moyale Barracks came second and received K200 000.
Administration from Lilongwe were third and they received K150 000.
In the individual men’s category, Francis Khanje from Kamuzu Barracks outsmarted Mike Tebulo and Hosea Chaola to become the champion.
He clocked 43:22:50 whereas Tebulo registered the time of 43:38:01.
Chaola came third and clocked 44:01:13.
In the women category, Beatrice Chirwa from Chilumba Barracks clocked 38:51:20 to claim first position.
She was followed by Nancy Matanda who registered 39:16:43. Mervis Ngwira was third and clocked 39:44:14.
MDF chief of training Brigadier General Alick Mhone said the competition had accorded them the opportunity to identify athletes who will compete at the national cross country on February 13 in Nkhata Bay.
“Soldiers have to be fit all the time,” he said.
Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) president Godfrey Phiri appealed to the corporate world to assist athletics with sponsorship.
