Ministry of Youth and Sports has urged Malawian athletes to fight for honours when they compete at the 13th edition of African Games slated for March 8 to 23 in Accra, Ghana.
Principal Secretary for Sports Isaac Katopola was speaking at the send-off ceremony held at Sunbird Lilongwe Hotel on Monday.
Katopola urged the athletes to raise the country’s flag.
“It is important for a nation to showcase talent to the world through participation in international competitions. This is the only way we can assess ourselves to see if we are doing things right.
“The level of our performance at the Games and the quality of our sports management will determine how far we are faring, in the sports industry, against member countries,” Katopola said.
Team Malawi was expected to fly out of the country yesterday through Kamuzu International Airport.
Katopola also hailed the corporate world for supporting government in making the trip possible.
The total budget for the trip was K293 million, out of which government provided K270 million.
Salima Sugar Company Limited provided K10 million, Press Trust pumped in K4.7 million whereas Nyasa Manufacturing Company donated K2 million towards the trip.
Salima Sugar Chief Financial Officer Chris Chilembwe said the company was proud to support the trip.
“We believe that the money will motivate the athletes to do well at the Games,” Chilembwe said.
Malawi will be represented by athletes in swimming, athletics, judo, boxing and taekwondo, among others.
Asimenye Simwaka and Stern Lifa will compete in athletics.
Simwaka, speaking on behalf of the athletes, promised to bring medals to the country.
“We are going to Ghana to compete. We promise to do well,” the multi-talented athlete said.
Elias Bonzo, Louis Zakeyu (boxing), Chikondi Kathewera, Olivia Chikwapula (judo), Joseph Phiri, Vesta Banda (taekwondo), Tayamika Chang’anamuno and Luka Smit are some of the athletes that have travelled to Ghana.
