Team Malawi eyes medals
Team Malawi has expressed optimism of winning medals at the 13th edition of All Africa Games which start this Friday in Accra, Ghana.
Ten athletes from five sporting disciplines, namely athletics, boxing, judo, taekwondo and swimming were unveiled on Monday evening during a send-off cocktail at Sunbird Lilongwe in the capital city.
Speaking on behalf of her fellow athletes, Asimenye Simwaka said they are going to Ghana to compete “and not as mere participants”.
“Be assured that we are going there to make the country proud. We are not going there on a sight-seeing mission, we are going there to compete for medals,” she said.
The short-distance athlete said their preparations went on well and they are ready for the Games.
“We have been in camp for two weeks and we are raring to go. This is one of the biggest sports events in Africa and everybody wants to shine,” said Simwaka.
Apart from Simwaka, the others are athlete Stern Lifa, boxers Elias Bonzo and Louis Zakeyu, judokas Chikondi Kathewera and Olivia Chikwapula, Joseph Phiri and Vesta Banda from taekwondo and swimmers Tayamika Chang’ anamuno and Luka Smit.
Ministry of Youth and Sports Principal Secretary Isaac Katopola said time has come for the nation to showcase its talent to the world through such international events.
“This provides us an opportunity to assess ourselves if we are doing the things right. The level of our performance at the Games and the quality of our sports management will determine how we are faring against other countries,” he said.
Katopola thanked Salima Sugar Company Limited for donating K10 million t, Press Trust for buying part of the uniforms valued at K4.7 million and Nyasa Manufacturing Company Limited for contributing K2 million.
He said: “Their support was like a miracle because our request was made at the eleventh hour after we noticed that there was a budget shortfall due to the devaluation of the kwacha and increase in prices of commodities.
“The team’s revised budget was K293 million, government provided K270 million [original estimate budget], leaving a balance of K23 million. So, you can see that the K16.7 million support from our beloved partners reduced the budget gap to K6.3 million which is manageable.”
Team manager Ruth Mzengo said the partnership between government and Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC), who have been coordinating the preparations, has been key to proper preparations.
“I am impressed with how things have been done in terms of preparations. We were well accommodated and the food was good and nutritious for the team,” she said.
MOC board member Dennis Kumwenda said the team’s preparations have given him hope that they will do well.
The team left the country yesterday.
Meanwhile, 29 sports disciplines have been confirmed for the Games. At least 49 countries will take part in the two-week event.
