Sports suspended

Malawi National Council of Sports has suspended all sports activities following the death of Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others in a plane crash in Viphya Highlands in Mzimba on Monday.

In a statement released yesterday signed by chief executive officer Henry Kamata, Sports Council says it follows President Lazarus Chakwera’s declaration of 21 days of mourning in honour of the departed souls.

Reads the statement in part: “Sports Council would like to advise all sports associations and affiliates to temporarily suspend all sporting activities until further notice.

“The temporary suspension provides an opportunity to the sporting fraternity to join His Excellency Dr Lazarus Chakwera, the President of the Republic of Malawi and the nation in mourning the departed Vice-President and eight others, who served the country with distinction.”

Meanwhile, several sports organisations had already started postponing their activities.

Standard Bank plc and the IntoSports Southern Region Darts League have also postponed their weekend games.

Reads a statement from Standard Bank plc: “In light of the sudden passing of the Vice-President Right Honourable Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima, we wish to announce the postponement of our annual Be More Race initially scheduled for 15th June 2024. New dates of the race will be communicated in due course.”

Super League of Malawi (Sulom) also postponed this weekend’s matches in respect of the mourning period.

Sulom said in a statement they also consoled President Lazarus Chakwera, Chilima’s family, the nation as well as football clubs.

Reads the statement in part: “The Super League of Malawi is shocked and saddened by the tragic demise of State Vice-President Right Honourable Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima and all those who passed alongside him in the plane crash. Our thoughts and condolences are with their families, friends and the entire nation during this difficult time.

“Dr Chilima’s legacy will forever be remembered in our hearts. In view of this, all Super League games this weekend have been rescheduled to later dates.”

President Lazarus Chakwera announced on Tuesday a 21-day mourning period in honour of the deceased.

Silver Strikers FC Limited chief executive officer Patrick Chimimba welcomed the move, saying it will honour Chilima’s soul.

He said: “It is just the right way to do, as we are mourning and it could not have made sense to play games. This is commendable taken by Sulom. We do not think this will in any way disturb the strides we have made so far as a club as all teams won’t play and it is just the right thing to do.”

On his part, sports analyst Kimu Kamau agreed with Chimimba, saying the Vice-President supported sports.

Chilima and eight others travelling from Mzuzu to Lilongwe after the plane purpotedly failed to land at Mzuzu Airport due to bad weather.