Mixed fortunes for Malawi swimmers
Local swimmers endured mixed fortunes on Wednesday when Zone 1V Championship got underway at African Bible College in Lilongwe.
Malawi’s swimmer Fillipe Gomez won silver medal in the men’s category whereas Ammara Pinto settled for fourth position in the women’s category.
Maya Mofield finished on position four whereas Mwandeyi Kumwenda came out on position five.
Tayamika Chang’anamuno finished on position seven. Some local swimmers finished on double digits’ position.
The swimmers are taking part in several heats at the event, which has attracted over 200 athletes from 13 countries.
Neighbours, Zambia, started the tournament on a high, having won gold medals during the competition.
As of yesterday, Zambia led with 509 points, followed by Zimbabwe and Mauritius on second and third positions with 296 and 293 points, respectively.
South Africa was on position four with 275 points whereas Malawi was on fifth place with 220 points.
Botswana and Kenya took positions six and seven with 175 and 149 points, respectively.
Madagascar started the competition on a low, having been at bottom with 54 points, followed by Swaziland on 72 points.
However, the positions were expected to change by yesterday.
Malawi Aquatic Union Vice-President, Monica Chang’anamuno, said the local swimmers have started the competition on a promising note.
“We have started on a good note because some swimmers have finished on single digits’ positions. I think at the end of the competition, we will win some medals,” she said.
Minister of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development, Francis Kasaila, said it was an honour for Malawi to host the tournament.
“We will continue supporting all sports codes to ensure that we do well in international competitions,” he said.
Lilongwe City Mayor, Desmond Bikoko and other high profile officials graced the opening of the competition on Wednesday.
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