Support sports reporters’ celebrations—Henry Mussa

Tom Sangala June 30, 2017

449 1 minute read

Minister of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development, Henry Mussa, has called on the corporate world to support Sports Writers Association (Swam) Malawi towards its commemoration of World Sports Journalists Day (WSJD), which falls on July 2 every year.

Mussa made the remarks after meeting Swam’s Organising Committee in Lilongwe on Wednesday. The committee had briefed him about the shift of the celebrations from July 2 to August 4 and 5 due to limited financial support.

Swam, which is affiliated to International Sports Press Association headquartered in Switzerland, will join over 200 other sports reporters’ associations from around the world in celebrating the day through activities including beach soccer and volleyball in Salima District.

Mussa, while confirming his availability on the day, called on the organising committee to step up the preparations.

“The first cut is always the deepest, hence the need for Swam to impress during its inaugural celebrations and set a good pace for the future,” he said, while pledging to drum up support for the celebrations, which will also include an annual general meeting for Swam.

Organising Committee Chairperson, Leonard Sharra, said they had only received pledges totalling K1.7 million against a budget of K10 million.

“However, some companies are still figuring out how much to contribute. We had to shift from the actual WSJD July 2 to August 4 and 5, 2017 because of the low response from potential partners.

“It is worrisome that while sports journalists do a lot in promoting brands of companies associated with sports, most of the companies do not want to show their appreciation for the good work sports journalists do.

“We, however, appreciate the gesture by some companies and organisations, which have embraced the concept and are ready to partner with the association. Details of these companies and organisations and their contributions will be published in the press once we formalise the partnership agreements with them,” Sharra said.

The meeting in Lilongwe also attracted Chief Director in the ministry, Joseph Mwandidya, Deputy Director of Sports, Justice Msopera and Ministry spokesperson Simon Mbvundula.