Paralympics partner special needs officers in talent search

The Malawi Paralympics Committe (MPC) is processing a partnership with special needs desk officers countrywide to help the committee engage more physically challenged youths in sporting activities.

MPC vice-general secretary George Luhanga said the partnership will be the most effective channel that will link them to parents and guardians of disabled children.

According to Luhanga, Malawi has over 100 000 physically challenged youths, but only 113 are registered with them to take part in paralympics activities while the rest, especially those in the rural areas, are kept indoors and denied opportunities to participate in sports.

“With this partnership, it will be easy and affordable to educate parents and guardians on the importance of getting their children into sports. Through this programme, we would like to get at least 500 athletes into our fold by the end of next year,” said Luhanga.

Blantyre District special needs desk officer Steve Nakatha said the partnership is the best way to increase participation of physically challenged youths in sports and also help to reduce some health risks that come with idleness.

If well nurtured, Malawi’s physically challenged athletes can sustain themselves and help to contribute to the economic development of the country as is the case in other countries where such youths make good fortunes as winners of prestigous international events such as the World Paralympics Games.

Malawi already showed the potential of scaling dizzy heights last year when partially blind athlete Tiaonere Banda won silver and bronze in 200 metres and 400 metres at the Zone VI Games in Zambia.