7 to compete in Iaaf contest
Seven athletes are expected to represent Malawi at the International Association of Athletics Federations (Iaaf) World Cross Country championship next month in Kampala, Uganda.
Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) General Secretary, Frank Chitembeya, said the seven will be picked from the national cross country championship scheduled for Dedza on Saturday.
“The seven will include male and female athletes. Ordinarily, we would have sent two runners to the competition on solidarity, but because Uganda is not very far from Malawi, we have decided to send five more,” Chitembeya explained.
He said the world event, which is set for March 26, will be an opportunity for Malawi to leave a mark on the global athletics’ stage.
He said AAM expects stiff competition on Saturday as athletes have stepped up preparations.
“As AAM, w e communicated about the competition in good time so that our athletes are not taken by surprise. Coaches in all the three regions have been working on their endurance and fitness ahead of the competition on Saturday,” Chitembeya said.
He disclosed that the event will include juniors and seniors categories for males and females.
Winners of the seniors category will get K40,000 with the runner-up and the third-placed athletes pocketing K30,000 and K20,000, respectively.
The juniors category has K30,000 at stake for the winner, K20,000 for the runner- up and K10,000 for third place.
Runners, who competed in competitions such as the Mulanje Mountain Porters’ Race and Sunbird Ku Chawe Zomba Mountain Race, are also expected to show up at the national event.
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