The National Women’s Football team the Scorchers have qualified for the Olympic Solidarity programme which will see the International Olympic Committee (IOC) funding them in the run-up to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
In an interview on Thursday, Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) Director of Administration and Programmes Naomi Chinatu said the Team Support Grant was open to all sports disciplines but the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) qualified for the national women’s football team sponsorship.
“It’s not automatic that every affiliate will benefit. The IOC Solidarity funds have to be earned by national associations through formulation of good viable strategic plan. All Olympic sport associations need to apply to access the funds through provision of viable plans or Programmes detailing what they want to achieve within a certain period in line with IOC needs. This time we have maintained women’s football team for Team support Grant.”
She Said
She said among others prudence or accountability is another determining factor. Chinatu Could not say how much money FAM would get for scorchers as that will depend on the budget that will be submitted.
In the previous Olympic Campaign, the Scorchers were also beneficiaries but the team failed to make it to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics held in Japan after being eliminated by Kenya in the qualifiers. The Scorchers also took part in the Cosafa tournament through financing the IOC Olympic Solidarity Programme.
Reacting to the development, National Women’s Football Association president Suzgo Ngwira expresses delight.
“This is great news and we are very excited. It will bring exposure to our national team and players. As you know most times the national women’s football team misses out on continental and global tournaments due to lack of finances. This really comes as great news. It means more activities for the players. This will help the sport grow. The players will be motivated to work hard individually because they will be looking forward to being part of a major global tournament”
In a related development, IOC is yet to release successful athletes for the Olympic Scholarship for Athletes towards the 2021- 2024 Paris Olympics. But Chinatu disclosed that archery, athletics, Boxing, Swimming and Judo have submitted their applications.
‘’We are waiting to hear from the International Federation and the IOC. The Olympic Scholarship for athletes are selected by the International Federation and International Olympic Committee Technical Department based in Athletes International Performance as MOC we just facilitate the process of application
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The successful applicants will be on four-year scholarship funded through Olympic Solidarity Programme in which apart from learning expert skills in their perspective sport, the athletes are also encouraged to pursue education.
