Several sports personalities are expected to attend the burial of State Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima at Nsipe in Ntcheu District Monday.
Chilima died in a plane crash on Monday last week alongside former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri and seven other people in Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba.
In separate interviews, sports personalities have confirmed that they will pay their last respects to the departed State Vice President, who had passion for sports.
Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) Chairperson Sunduzwayo Madise said Chilima would be remembered for his unwavering support to the sports fraternity.
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“We have lost a great son of Malawi and a visionary person. While he is being laid to rest, we must make sure that his legacy lives on. He did a lot to the sports fraternity and we learnt a lot from him,” Madise said.
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On his part, Football Association of Malawi (Fam) President Fleetwood Haiya said Chilima would be remembered for his contributions towards football development in Malawi.
“He shall be remembered for his enormous contribution to sports and football in particular. Among others, Dr Chilima played a crucial role as chairperson for the fundraising committee that raised funds for the first ever Fam Cup in 2005, when the country spent the whole season without a corporate sponsor. He was also chairperson for the Fam Competitions Committee and was instrumental in securing Standard Bank Cup sponsorship in 2007,’’ Haiya said.
Haiya accompanied Fifa President Gianni Infantino when he consoled Chilima’s widow Mary at Area 12 Residence in Lilongwe last week.
Before Chilima’s death, the Fifa boss was scheduled to meet the departed State Vice President.
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Chilima was a prominent golfer, having participated in several tournaments. He was also key in fundraising at golf tournaments. Several golf players, including Brian Coombes, are expected to attend his burial ceremony today.
Apart from playing golf, Chilima led the sports fraternity in several activities including Standard Bank’s Be More Race and basketball tournaments.
