No tourists’ at Commonwealth games —MOC boss

Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) has expressed concern with the progress of preparations for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games to be staged in Scotland next month.

MOC president Oscar Kanjala observed that apart from netball, the other targeted codes appear not ready due to lack of resources, but nevertheless stressed that it will not take tourists to the global showcase.

He said the committee has since intervened in negotiating for financial resources from government for athletes to step up on preparations.

“The bone of contention is that we are facing a race against time and the signs are not encouraging. Athletes must prove their worth to be considered for the games.

“We are a bit too late and what needs to happen is to establish which athletes have been selected and which ones need to go into camp,” said Kanjala.

The MOC boss said there were specific deadlines which athletes were supposed to meet in order to qualify for the Games.

“And by now, we should have had a clear picture on which athletes have made it. On our part, we have a technical commission that is silently monitoring progress as per calendar of events that were submitted,” said Kanjala.

He said MOC is not responsible for athletes resources meant for preparations until the last two weeks.

“We are actually at the Ministry [of Youth and Sports] headquarters negotiating for funding on behalf of the codes.

“It would appear the [May 20] Tripartite Elections affected a lot of decisions. So, we are looking at alternatives, but the issue is that we should not compromise preparations,” he said.

However, government has asked MOC not to despair despite delays in releasing funds.

Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Jameson Ndalama, was quoted by the Daily Times yesterday, that MOC’s budget, which is in excess of K80 million, was referred to Treasury.

Malawi’s delegation leaves this June to attend a two-week camp at the University of Gloucestershire in the United Kingdom before proceeding to Glasgow in Scotland for the Games.