Malawi Women’s National Football Team striker Temwa Chawinga shone like a beacon as she scooped two awards at the 2025 Malawi Sport Awards at Sunbird Livingstonia Conference Centre in Salima district, on Saturday.
The Kansas City Current forward was named Sports Personality of the Year and SportsWoman of the Year.
This followed her impressive performance in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) where she smashed several records in her second season.
The Malawian forward retained the golden boot award after scoring 15 goals, becoming the first player to achieve that feat in two consecutive seasons.
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Temwa received the award in absentia.
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In an interview yesterday, Temwa said she felt honoured.
“It feels great to win the award. It means a lot to me as a player and I am motivated,” Temwa said.
In other categories, pool genius Griffin Stanford Ginte was named the Sports Man of the Year after his outstanding performance last year.
Stanford was delighted with the award.
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“I am really motivated. I will continue working hard to achieve more in my career,” Stanford said.
The coach of the year award went to Civil Service Sports Club coach John Mwathiwa while chess arbiter Gilton Mkumbwa was named Technical Official of the Year.
Netball icon Mary Waya won the inaugural Hall of Fame award after beating Kinnah Phiri and late legendary netball coach Griffin Saenda.
The sports administrator of the year award went to Chess Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) President Mpilo Mizere whereas the best executed sports programme award went to Before and After School from Malawi Paralympic Committee.
Sportswoman of the year with disability went to Nancy Velani whereas Byson Maseko won a similar award in the male category.
Nathan Chisale was named the junior sports man of the year whereas Amanda Kondowe won the best junior female award.
In his remarks, Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) Board Chairperson Jim Kalua said the 2025 event was a success.
“At this year’s awards, sponsorship exceeded initially budgeted projections. Corporate brands did not merely attend but actively participated. This shows that the companies have renewed confidence in sports,” Kalua said.
He said council would continue rewarding the athletes to motivate them.
“The awards did not only recognise the outstanding individuals but also recognise excellence. We believe that awards will motivate the athletes,” he said.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Alfred Gangata said the awards demonstrated government’s commitment to develop sports in the country.
“We are committed to uplift the standards of sports in the country. The awards will motivate the athletes. We want our athletes to perform well in international competitions,” Gangata said.
In the media category, Joy Ndovi of Nations Publications was named the best print journalist whereas Bright Kanyama scooped the best electronic journalist.
