Malawi Olympic Committee dares affiliates on podium finish
Malawi Olympic Committee (Moc) has challenged its affiliates to identify and nurture athletes that can help the country win medals at the major events including Commonwealth Games.
Moc President Jappie Mhango made the remarks during the committee’s annual general meeting (AGM) in Blantyre on Saturday.
Mhango encouraged the body’s affiliates to aim for podium-finish during international competitions.
“We believe that we have a lot of work to do in terms of athletics development. We had an athlete that went to the finals of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games but that it is not enough. We need to get as many athletes as we can.
“We are appealing to our affiliates to identify and nurture more athletes. In terms of identification of athletes, that is the job of our affiliates; it is not our job. Our duty is to deal with elite athletes. We have gone a step further helping our affiliates in that area so that we have a pool of athletes that can help them,” he said.
Mhango spoke highly of athlete Asimenye Simwaka, who is the first Malawian athlete to have reached the final of 400m and semifinals of 200m.
“Science suggests that it takes 10 years to produce a medal winning athlete but Asimenye is proving us wrong and we hope she will keep that momentum. We encourage her and others to aim for the podium,” he said.
One of the delegates Peter Gomani said the AGM was a success as it helped them appreciate developments at Moc.
“We also noted how Moc is organising itself. They are transparent. No wonder, Moc’s structure is growing,” the Basketball Association of Malawi General Secretary said.
