Kinnah Phiri commends tourney sponsors
By Pemphero Malimba:
Deputy Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Kinnah Phiri has stressed the need to support people who are sponsoring football tournaments in the country’s rural areas.
Phiri said initiatives run by such people have the potential to unearth talent that can benefit national teams at all levels.
“Without going into rural areas to get proper players, our national teams may not improve to the desired levels. So taking competitions to the community will help the young boys to showcase their talent and be recognised.
“So when an ordinary person comes up with such an initiative, it is something that we have to cherish. We should therefore support such people fully if our game is to develop,” Phiri said.
He said this on Sunday when he graced the finals of CMC Football Bonanza at Chowo Primary School Ground in the area of Sub-Traditional Authority Chitekwere in Lilongwe District.
The final match between Chimbalanga and Malindi ended 1-1 and could not go into penalties due to darkness.
For making it into the finals, both teams were awarded K75,000 each, football jerseys and balls.
Other guests to the event included Silver Strikers Reserve Coach Leo Mpulula, former Football Association of Malawi executive member MacCollins Chivunde, Lilongwe District Coaches Committee Chairperson Mwelwa Gondwe and former Central Region referees general secretary Zachariah Kasakula.
Mpulula said he had spotted four players from the bonanza.
“I have spotted four players from here and I will use my connections to help them join some Blantyre teams. I want to see them displaying their talent and motivating others from this area,” he said.
CMC Football Bonanza organiser Young Phiri said he wants more hidden talent to be identified in the area.
“The most important thing is to unearth hidden skills in our boys. That is why I brought Kinnah and other veterans in the country so that they spot some of the talents in our area,” Phiri said.
The two-week tournament, which attracted four teams from Chowo, Malindi and Chimbalanga zones, was pegged at K500,000.
