Sports Council hails Special Olympics
Malawi National Council of Sports has described Special Olympics Malawi’s (SOM) nine-medal haul at the Special Olympics Games last week as something that needs to be emulated by other sports disciplines in the country.
The council’s board member and development committee chairperson Helen Mpinganjira-Tasosa made the statement on Tuesday at Malawi Sun Hotel in Blantyre when welcoming the 14-athlete Special Olympics team that has brought home five gold, two silver and two bronze medals.
Special Olympics’ success comes a few weeks after cricket, handball and kickboxing national teams recently did well on the international stages.
“For a discipline to deserve respect and enjoy support, it needs to perform well. Special Olympics has proved to be one of the best performing bodies considering the success of its athletes and we are very happy with this,” she said.
At the Special Olympics Games, Malawi grabbed gold through Victor Chikuse in swimming, Patrick Sichamba in lawn tennis, Frank Chikolopoko in bocce and Sichamba alongside Hannah Winesi were champions in lawn tennis mixed doubles.
Melissa Phapa and Caroline Mogra also won in bocce women’s doubles.
Emmanuel Banda grabbed two silver in athletics 100 metres (m) and 200m while swimmer Naomi Fatchi got bronze in 50m female backstroke. Phapa took bronze in bocce.
Phapa, representing fellow athletes upon arrival at the Chileka International Airport in Blantyre, said they were happy with the warm welcome they received from the Council.
While appreciating government’s support, SOM executive director Enid Mauluka appealed to the corporate world and other stakeholders to assist them as they start early preparations for the next world games in Australia in 2027.
“We could have done much better had we enjoyed early support as regards to local camping. All the same, we hope things will change for the better as we begin our tune-ups for the next games,” she said.
During the 2015 edition in Los Angeles, United States of America, Malawi carted home seven gold, three silver and two bronze.
