Sports Council waives Blantyre Race fees
The Malawi National Council of Sports has removed athletes’ registration fees for the 42.195 kilometre (km) and 10km as the Blantyre 42.195 km Race rolls into action this Saturday at Kamuzu Stadium.
Initially, athletes were expected to pay K20 000 to compete in the 42.195 km event and K15 000 in the 10km contest. However, participants in 5km event and aerobics will still pay K10 000 and K2 000, respectively.
Sports Council director of planning, marketing and infrastructure development Limbani Matola said during a press briefing in Blantyre yesterday that the waiver is meant to help talented athletes that are struggling to raise the fees.
“Some athletes, especially in the rural areas, complained that they were finding it difficult to raise the registration fees. As Sports Council it is our mission to see mass participation in sporting activities and we thought it wise to waive the fees,” he said.
“However, not everyone will be registered as we will first scrutinise the athletes to ensure they meet the health and technical requirements to compete.”
Matola, who was accompanied by the council’s sports development and recreation director Ivy Chinangwa, said athletes that already paid for the two events have been refunded. He added that registration will close this Thursday.
On how the development will impact the council’s wish to use the funds for charity, he said: “The money we are acquiring from the corporate partners and registration fees for 5km race and aerobics will make up for that”.
Athletics Malawi president Kondwani Chamwala expressed gratitude to the council for the waiver, saying it will promote increased participation.
“This initiative will help many athletes to compete in this prestigious race. We thank Sports Council for coming up with very good idea,” he said.
Meanwhile, the race’s head of technical committee Evance Chiphwanya has said they are set for the competition, which will see the 42.195km race winners in men and women’s divisions taking home K1.5 million each.
Last year, Mzuzu-based female athlete Nalicy Chirwa, defended the championship race in the ladies’ section while Lilongwe-based Grevazio Mpani won it in the men’s section.
