Youth and Sports Minister Richard Chimwendo Banda has said the country must tap from top-performing commonwealth countries to develop in sports.
Chimwendo Banda made the remarks after attending a two-day sports ministers’ meeting before the start of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
“The meeting is very critical and Malawi, as one of the least developed countries in the Commonwealth, has a big chance of benefitting from this big family. We need to learn from other countries that are doing well within the block.”
He said.
Chimwendo banda said the meeting attracted 56 ministers who discussed ways and means of promoting sports in their respective countries.
“We discussed how this can be achieved by promoting investments. Critical topics such as strengthening business cases for investments and showcasing sports innovations with key lessons were also discussed. “We also looked at best practices across the Commonwealth and how to improve on legislation to safeguard sport. Action plans for promoting sports were also tabled,.
Banda said.
Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council Chairperson Lord Jonathan Marland, a former United Kingdom minister in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, said Malawi can use the competition to increase trade and investment.
“Malawi will be hoping to gain its first gold at the Birmingham Games. But rather than wait four years for the prospect of medals at the Games, Malawi can through the Commonwealth Advantage – win every year with increased trade and investment.”
Marland said.
Over 5,000 competitors from56 nations are expected to compete in various categories of the competition whose opening ceremony took place last night.
The Games are perhaps the most visible aspect for many of the Commonwealth’s 2.5 billion citizens.