Preparations for African Games, formerly the All Africa Games, have received a timely boost after government provided K270 million for the event.
The 13th edition of the Games will be staged between March 8 and 23 in Accra, Ghana.
However, the budget still has a shortfall, as K293 million is the amount required.
The shortfall currently stands at K13 million after Salima Sugar Company Limited donated K10 million towards the trip.
Team Malawi is scheduled to leave the country for the Games on March 5.
Ministry of Youth and Sports spokesperson MacMillan Mwale urged the private sector to support the athletes.
“The team has great potential as some of the sporting codes going to Accra have brought medals to the country. We are thankful to Salima Sugar for the support. Our appeal to other members of the private sector is that they should come forward and make their contributions,” Mwale said.
The event will be used as a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games.
At the continental showpiece, Malawi will compete in judo, swimming, table tennis, lawn tennis, boxing, beach volleyball, athletics and taekwondo.
Youth and Sports Minister Uchizi Mkandawire commended Salima Sugar for the donation.
“Salima Sugar’s gesture is worth applauding. The company has set an example worth emulating. We need more resources because Malawi National Council of Sports still has a deficit to cover other necessities like air tickets and participation fees, among others,” Mkandawire said.
During the 2019 edition held in Morocco, Team Malawi had 22 representatives in athletics, archery, chess, judo, swimming, table tennis and taekwondo.
However, Team Malawi failed to win a medal.
Since the Games started, Malawi has participated in eight editions, with five silver medals and four bronze. The country is yet to win gold.
