Almost 25 participants have completed a 7-day netball coaching and umpiring course in Machinga district which was organized by the Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) with the aim of improving netball coaching and umpiring at the grassroot level.
The course which started on Monday 24 January and finished on Sunday 30 January 2022 saw 12 women and 13 men took part in the netball developmental level coaching and umpiring training at Machinga teachers College.
Initially 33 participants registered to attend the training, but due to the impact of tropical storm Ana some participants failed to participate.
Speaking during the closing ceremony the Director of Education, Youth and Sports in Machinga district Douglass Namikungulu applauded MNCS for the training and thanked every participant for taking part.
‘’What has happened today in Machinga is a great achievement, because this is a starting point for developing and promoting sports in the district. Congratulations to all participants for successfully completing the course we expect tremendous impact on the ground, we commend what MNCS has done by organizing this course and we urge them to do the same in other districts so that we keep the grassroot level active’’. Explained Namikungulu.
On his part Malawi School Sports Association (MASSA) Chairperson of the Southern and Eastern Education Division (SEED) Arthur Chimbetete urged participants to go and practice what they have learnt from the training.
‘’I thank MNCS for coming up with this course it shows that indeed efforts are being made to promote sport at the grassroot level, am therefore urging you all participants to stay in the game and practice what you have learnt here it will mean nothing to come here for 7 days learn a lot and you go home and stay idle. Am encouraging you to identify more talent as much as you can with the knowledge you have acquired here’’. Said Chimbetete.
Speaking on behalf of the participants Trinity Chapweteka assured government through MNCS that they have not wasted resources in training them and that they are eager to get on the ground and impart the knowledge they have acquired to the young ones.
‘’if you look at our group it is mainly composed of people from the community, primary and secondary school teachers and we are the ones who work hand in hand with young athletes and we are responsible for their growth so this training will help us widen our knowledge and skills’’. Explained Chapweteka.
The participants were being tutored by the Chief Sports Officer in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Joseph Mazaza and Dr Rebecca Dulanya a veteran international tutor who teaches umpiring around the world.
The participants will undergo a one-year assessment period where they will be observed to see if they are applying the knowledge and skills they have learnt from the course, from there they will then be given certificates.
