The long awaited K20 million HTD Beach Soccer National Championship will take place at Sunbird Nkopola in Mangochi this weekend.
Initially, the championship was supposed to be played early this month at the same venue but was postponed due rising water levels in Malawi.
Beach Soccer Association (BSA) Chairperson Gift Chimbalanga confirmed the development Wednesday.
“We are ready to host the national championship. We will try our best to host a top class event. As beach soccer, we have set standards high; so, we expect more people to come and watch the matches,” Chimbalanga said.
Chimbalanga said the competition will start on Saturday with play-offs before the final on Sunday.
Six teams from beach soccer playing zones qualified for this year’s national championship. The teams comprise defending champions Beach Eagles from Chintheche in Nkhata Bay, Vinthenga from Nkhotakota, Tourism from Central Region and hosts Sunbird Nkopola from the Southern Region.
Central Region Beach Soccer Association Chairperson Peter Lipikwe was relieved with the news.
“We are happy that the finals will take place after waiting for a long time due to the water levels in Lake Malawi. We expect Tourism to win the championship as they have prepared well for the tournament,’’ Lipikwe said.
The tournament will be a perfect opportunity for Malawi Beach Soccer National Team coach Willy Kumilambe to identify more players ahead of Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers slated for August this year.
Kumilambe said the tournament has come at the right time as he is looking for more players.
“This is a chance for us to select some of the best players. We select players on merit. All the best players will have a chance to play for the national team,” Kumilambe said.
Malawi beach soccer team won bronze during this year’s Cosafa Beach Soccer Championship in Durban, South Africa, in March.