None of the local athletes in all disciplines has qualified for the Tokyo 2020. Olympic Games, effectively rounding up 49 years of the Country’s failure to challenge for honors on the biggest sports stage. Instead, the Malawi Olympic Committee in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee has selected five athletes to compete on solidarity and Tripartite.
They are Harriet Boniface (Judo), Jessica Makwenda and Philipe Gomez (Swimming), Asimenye Simwaka (Athletics), and David Areno (Archery) and were unveiled last Friday 2nd July, 2021 in Lilongwe ahead of the games on July 23, in Japan. The team also unveiled its uniform dressed by United Nation United National Population Fund (UNFPA) who also organized a sendoff party towards the Games.
Malawi first competed in at the Olympic Games in 1972, according to Wikipedia. It however, failed to send a delegation on two Occasions so this will be the 11th time it is sending the athletes. MOC Vice- President said some local athletes came close to qualification.
“Asimenye, who is a short distance, is the most improving and outstanding athlete who recently won gold medal in Cameroon. However, she missed Olympics qualification by milliseconds”
She Said
On Switzerland –based archer Areneo, “He performed very well, but missed with an inch. Looking at his progress, IOC and International Archery Federation have considered him on tripartite basis”.
Mwandira Said
She said Portugal- based Swimmer Gomez was considered because he performed impressively over the years and ranks 3rd in Africa. Mwandira also touted Judo star Boniface as an athlete who has excelled in Africa. She is ranked sixth in Africa and 93 in the world. The MOC vice President said she expects the athletes to compete aggressively despite that they have not qualified by meeting minimum standards.
Minister of Youth and Sports Honorable Ulemu Msungama acknowledged that qualifying on solidarity was not good enough. He therefore, emphasized the need to step up a gear in promoting sports. On her part Simwaka promised to impress during the Olympic Games. Short distance runner Stern Liffa who came close to qualify was left out due to an injury. The 2020 Olympic Games, which were postponed last year, are scheduled to take place between 23 July and 8th August.
Malawi’s delegation will include Hon. Msungama, Principal Secretary Oliver Principal Secretary Oliver Kumbambe, Director of Sports Jameson Ndalama, Malawi National Concil of Sports Executive Secretary Henry Meleka, MOC President, Jappie Mhango, MOC Vice- President Flora Mwandira,MOC Secretary General John Kaputa, MOC Adminstrator Naomie Chinatu, Athletics Coach Pachisi Nyasulu, and Archery Coach Tawina Mtaya. By Clement Chinoko
