African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 is set to honour Malawi National Council of Sports Administration Manager Henry Mereka with a 10- year Service Award.
In an invitation letter dated June 5 2023 and addressed to Mereka, AUSC said it will present the award during the 2023 Regional Annual Sport Awards at Esibayeni Lodge Matsapha in eSwatini on Saturday.
“I have the pleasure to advise you that Region 5 is honouring you with a 10- Year Service Award. This is in recognition of your significant contribution to the region over the past 10 years of loyal and dedicated service.
“The region hereby cordially invites you to come and receive the honour to be conferred to you during the 2023 Regional Annual Sports Awards.
“Kindly be advised that you will be responsible for the round-trip [such] as fares and accommodation costs while the Region will grant you a VIP invitation card to attend the dinner and gala night,” the letter, signed by AUSC Chief Executive Officer Stanley Mutoya, reads.
Mereka said he felt humbled.
“It is an honour. It is always good to diligently represent your country and get honoured at that higher level. I have been at Sports Council for the past 23 years and for about half of that period, I have contributed to Region 5. This adds to my excitement, having been recognised and honoured,” he said.
Malawi will be hoping to collect more awards in three categories where it is represented.
Malawi Women’s National Football Team has been nominated in the Sports Team of the Year category alongside Zambia and Botswana’s 4x400m men’s relay athletics team.
In the Junior Sportsman of the Year category, amateur boxer Sean Joseph is up against eSwatini taekwondo athlete Sihlelelwe Matsebula and Zambian William Chinzewe, who plays draught.
Former The Daily Times assistant editor Peter Kanjere, who corresponds for international media organisations, completes the list of Malawi’s nominated candidates.
Kanjere is competing for the Journalist of the Year award with Memory Maliwasa of Zambia and South Africa’s Hloni Mtimkulu.
