Mwawi Kumwenda nominated for global award
Malawi netball Queens shooting star, Mwawi Kumwenda, seems to be swimming in glory.
After sealing a lucrative six-month deal as Airtel Malawi’s ‘It’s Now Campaign’ ambassador, Mwawi has been shortlisted for International World Games Association (IWGA) athlete of the-year award.
Mwawi is among 18 short-listed athletes from a cross-section of sports disciplines across the world.
The general public will, through IWGA’s website http://www. theworldgames.org/, vote for the ultimate winner. The actual prize is not yet known.
International Netball Federation (INF) nominated Mwawi after impressing during the 2015 World Netball Cup in New Zealand where she was voted player-of-the tournament.
Mwawi shone in New Zealand despite that the Queens failed to break into the world’s top-five.
INF secretariat said it will run an extensive social media campaign to garner support for Mwawi ahead of the voting window, whose deadline is January 31. The winner will be announced on February 1.
At the World Cup, the New Zealand’s Mainland Tactix shooter registered 91 percent shooting accuracy, while scoring 321 in eight matches, making her the only player to register over 300 goals at the tournament.
The former Escom Sisters shooter, whose story seems to be following a typical rags-to-riches script, said she was humbled by the nomination and called for support.
“I thank God for all that He is doing in my life. I could not do it all alone. It would be great to get enough votes and win the award,” said the shooter who also won Malawi Broadcasting Corporation Innovations Award worth K500,000 last month.
Czech Republic’s Adam Ondra won the 2014 award after excelling in the sport of climbing.
The IWGA is an organisation recognised by the International Olympic Committee.
Its aim is to develop the popularity of sports governed by its 37-member federations , including INF. IWGA’s objective is to conserve traditional values of sport through The World Games, which take place every four years.
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