By Praise Majawa:
The Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) has said the selection of athletes for the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Games in Maputo, Mozambique, in December will be based on merit.
It says priority will be given to athletes who are capable of winning medals.
The council recently held a Malawi Sports Development Camp at Nalikule College in Lilongwe as part of preparations for the regional youth games, which are scheduled for December in Mozambique.
The two-week camp athletes from 14 sporting codes.
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The athletes underwent intensive training and assessments as well as sessions on safeguarding, anti-doping, athlete welfare, motivation and discipline.
MNCS will also organise mini-camps for athletes who are expected to represent Malawi at the Games before holding a final preparatory camp in November.
The 12th edition of the Region 5 Games will take place from December 4 to 13 this year.
MNCS acting Chief Executive Officer Ivy Chinangwa said the final selection would be based on athletes’ potential to win medals.
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“There are some athletes, but not very many, just a few of them, who are not progressing well and they are likely to be dropped. But a good number of athletes is ready for the Games,” Chinangwa said.
She said the development camp had been crucial in preparing the athletes technically, mentally and socially.
“This third training camp has been a success. We have seen some improvement, in terms of behaviour in our athletes and also performance, because if we are to compare their performance level with the previous camps, they have, this time around, shown some improvement,” she said.
There have been concerns over alleged favouritism in the selection of athletes for national teams.
Recently, MNCS Board Chairperson Jim Kalua said the council was aware of allegations that some athletes were favoured when teams are selected to represent the country at international competitions, and called for objectivity in athlete selection.
At the 11th edition of the Youth Games in Namibia last year, Team Malawi won 32 medals, comprising seven gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze.
At last year’s Region 5 Games, Special Olympics were among the outstanding performers after winning six medals—two gold, four silver and one bronze.
Para-athletics also performed well, winning five medals—one gold, two silver and two bronze.
E-sports claimed four medals—two gold and two silver.
The Malawi Under-20 National Football Team also left a mark at the Games after winning silver in the Cosafa Cup.
