Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) has lifted the temporary suspension on sporting events, giving its affiliates and all sports associations the chance to resume activities.
Council suspended all sporting events following the 21 days of mourning which President Lazarus Chakwera declared in honour of Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others who died in a plane crash last week in Chikangawa Forest, Mzimba District.
However, council, in a statement issued Tuesday, urged sports bodies to continue honouring the memory and legacy of departed souls.
“The Malawi National Council of Sports would like to advise all sports associations and affiliates that the temporary suspension of sporting activities has been lifted.
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“The council extends its deepest gratitude to all sporting associations and affiliates for their respectful observance of the guidance to suspend all sporting activities following the tragic demise of the country’s Vice President, Right Honourable Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, and eight officials on 10th June 2024. Your solidarity and support during this time of national grief have been invaluable,” reads the statement which council chief executive officer Henry Kamata has signed.
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Council advised the sports fraternity to resume sports cautiously.
“As we resume our sporting endeavours, let us continue to honour the memory and legacy of those we have lost by embodying the spirit of peace, unity and excellence in our sporting activities. May their souls continue resting in eternal peace,” the statement reads.
Several sporting activities were put on hold following the ban.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) withdrew the Malawi National Football Team from this year’s Cosafa Senior Men’s Cup to pay tribute to the nine souls.
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On the other hand, Super League of Malawi rescheduled matches that were slated for last weekend while the international Be More Race was also put on hold. Netball and golf activities were some of the disciplines that were affected.
Fam General Secretary Alfred Gunda welcomed the lifting of the suspension.
“Fam will advise its stakeholders to get back to the drawing boardsand plan around reinstating fixtures for the various competitions,” Gunda said.
Sulom General Secretary Williams Banda promised to revert to us but did not.
Netball Association of Malawi interim committee General Secretary Yamikani Kauma said they have advised their affiliates to resume activities.
“In the south, games in Rainbow Paints Blantyre and Districts Netball League will resume this weekend while in the Central Region, the launch of the Mpico Gateway will happen after the 21 days mourning period,” Kauma said.
