Malawi Olympic Committee defends officials role in Team Malawi
Malawi Olympic Committee (Moc) President Jappie Mhango has said more officials have been included in Team Malawi delegation for 2020 Tokyo Olympics for the key role that they are expected to play.
Team Malawi, comprising five athletes and 12 officials, is expected to leave the country on Saturday for the Olympic Games expected to run from July 23 to August 8.
Mhango said all the officials, including Sports Minister Ulemu Msungama, have a role to play to help in sports development.
“For instance, we have the Minister of Sports who is expected to attend a number of meetings including interacting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.
“We also have officials from the ministry, including the Director of Sports [Jameson Ndalama], because they are policy makers. Malawi National Council of Sports acting Executive Secretary [Henry Mereka] is among the delegation as they implement policies which the government makes. Every official is going to play a key role which will help Malawi as a nation,” he said.
Mhango said some sectors deliberately confuse individual sports with team events.
“Generally, you can have a team manager for a football team managing over 20 players whereas in an individual sport one official can manage an athlete or more depending on those that have qualified. Often times, a team is seen to have more players unlike in individual sport,” he said.
Moc Vice President Madam Flora Mwandira is the leader of delegation whereas Principal Secretary Oliver Kumbambe, Moc’s General Secretary John Kaputa and Administrator Naomi Chinatu are part of the delegation.
The five athletes are Asimenye Simwaka (Athletics), Harriet Boniface (Judo), David Areneo (Archery) and two swimmers, Phillip Gomez and Jessica Makwenda.
Athletics Coach Pachisi Nyasulu alongside other coaches Yona Walesi [Swimming], Tawina Mtaya [Archery] are part of the delegation while Judo Coach Ryoma Kudo will join the team in Japan.
