Kondwani Nankhumwa for more Mayors’ trophies
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Kondwani Nankhumwa, has urged local councils to emulate Blantyre City Council’s (BCC) gesture by introducing sports trophies as a way of developing sports in the country.
Nankhumwa made the appeal during the launch of the K10 million Blantyre Mayor’s Trophy on Wednesday.
“In Malawi, we have 35 councils and if all of them can adopt the system, then we will have the best nursery for our sports disciplines. This, then, will translate into vibrant teams in our leagues and even the national team,” Nankhumwa said.
He then asked the corporate world to offer BCC financial support as they have no cash for the initiative.
To set the ball rolling, Nankhumwa donated K1 million from his ministry for BCC’s cause.
BCC Mayor, Noel Chalamanda, said the re- introduction of the competition was meant to keep pupils busy instead of engaging in drug and substance abuse.
“Mayor’s Trophy was launched in 1968, and it had a break due to the absence of Councillors. Our launch today, where we have invited the corporate partners, is to lobby them to contribute something because at BCC, we believe in taking the city back to the people,” Chalamanda said.
He cited Mary Waya (netball coach) and Joseph Kamwendo (footballer), who were present during the launch, Mabvuto Lungu, Barnet Gondwe and Frank Sinalo (former footballers) as among the products of the Mayor’s Trophies.
According to Chalamanda, companies can adopt a school team by providing sports equipment.
The competition will run from next month to December with 50 primary school teams participating in football and netball categories from the zones.
Football champions will get K400,000 with K300,000 being the prize for the best netball side.
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