Ministry of Youth and Sports has appealed to private sector and well-wishers to contribute towards Team Malawi’s budget for the forthcoming African Games which has a K13 Million shortfall. The 13th Edition of the continental Games are scheduled for Accra, Ghana from March 5 to 23 and Malawi will compete in six disciplines, namely, athletics, Boxing, Judo, Taekwondo, Beach Volleyball and Swimming.
In an interview, the Ministry spokesperson McMillan Mwale said Team Malawi’s Budget for the Games is K293 million and government committed K270million. He said the Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire has negotiated for K10 million sponsorship from Salima Sugar Company, leaving a shortfall of K13 million.
“So we are appealing to well-wishers and companies to come in and assist towards this national cause, the games are important because they will be used as a qualifier for the Paris Olympic Games.”
Said Mwale
Meanwhile, Salima Sugar Company Secretary Charles Thupi said they expect the team to represent the country well at the event and bring medals.
In a separate interview the Minster thanked Salima Sugar for the sponsorship and appealed to other companies in the private sector to follow suit.
“We are optimistic that other will come on board.”
The Minister said
Malawi will be represented by 10 athletes. In a related development the technical committee and organising committee in Ghana has said significant strides have been made in preparation for the event. The committee said this when it briefed Ghana’s Minister of Youth and Sports Mustapha Ussif on the progress made to complete the construction of facilities at Borteyman and the University of Ghana, which will be the main venues. – Garry Chirwa