Sports associations have bemoaned inadequate funding as a major reason for their poor performance in recent international competitions.
This was disclosed during the meeting with Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire and Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe Tuesday.
Among other things, the minister summoned the associations to appreciate the challenges they face.
The meeting attracted associations including Football Association of Malawi (Fam), Malawi Olympic Committee (Moc), Judo Association of Malawi, Athletics Malawi (AM), Malawi Boxing Association (Maba) and Malawi Aquatic Union.
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During the meeting, the associations put the blame on government for failing to provide enough resources to develop sports in the country.
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In an interview after the meeting, Mkandawire said the concerns of the associations were genuine.
“We understand that the Fam leadership is new as well as the coach Patrick Mabedi; so, we need to give them enough support and time for them to deliver. Thereafter, we will be able to judge them,” Mkandawire said.
On the issue of funding, Mkandawire said government alone cannot develop sports, adding that there is a need for the private sector to invest in sports.
“We appeal to companies to support all sporting codes. When athletes are preparing for international competitions, there is a need for companies to support them,” he said.
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The meeting came one month after Malawi National Football Team, the Flames, were embarrassed at home after finishing bottom following two losses in two matches during the Four Nations Tournament which Malawi hosted in March.
They lost 4-0 to Kenya and 2-1 to Zambia.
Fam President Fleetwood Haiya, General Secretary Alfred Gunda, Super League of Malawi (Sulom) President Gilbert Mittawa, in his capacity as Fam executive member, and Bernard Chiwiriwiri Harawa attended the meeting.
However, Haiya was reluctant to comment on the outcome of the meeting.
After meeting Fam officials, the Minister met Moc, AM and Maba officials to appreciate what went wrong during the African Games in Ghana.
