The Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) has urged the corporate world to support the efforts that government is making in developing and promoting sports in the country.
The remarks were made by MNCS Board Chairperson Dr. Sunduzwayo Madise during the second edition of the Paralympic games national finals that were held yesterday at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
According to Dr Madise, it is very disappointing to learn that the second edition of the Paralympic games national finals was supported by organizations and companies from outside Malawi and that no Malawian-owned company or organization supported the event.
“As Council, we are very pleased with the way the Malawi Paralympic Committee is conducting their things, this is the second Paralympic games to be held and there is a lot of improvement compared to the first one. The other thing that has impressed me the most is that they are thinking about the future, they are talking about 2028 which shows that they have a clear vision of where they want to take the game
“The only disappointing thing is that the local companies are not here to support them, as Council we have repeatedly said that the time has come for the private sector to come in and support the efforts the Government is making so that sport should develop in Malawi”. Explained Madise
In his remarks president of the Malawi Paralympic Committee, James Chiutsi thanked the government for the role it plays in making sure that people with different disabilities have the right to take part in sport
“We are very happy because during the first edition, there were only a few Para-athletes that took part in the games, but this time we have over 100 Para-athletes taking part. The other good thing is that we have different sporting codes this time including sitting volleyball, Para-powerlifting, chess and Para-athletics which is very encouraging because that shows we are making progress in promoting the Paralympics in Malawi and we are very grateful to the government through the sports council for the support they have been giving us,” explained Chiutsi.
The second edition saw over 100 Para athletes compete for national honors in four sporting codes which include Para-athletics, Para-Powerlifting, Para-Blind Chess and Para- Sitting Volleyball.
The event was supported by the Malawi Government through the sports council, Loughborough University, International Paralympic Committee, Global Disability Innovation Hub,UK aid and K2 transformers from Korea and AT2030.
Below is the list of winners in Para-athletics in the male an female categories
FEMALE
T13 100m
Eliza Kamanga
T32 100m
Yankho kachoka
T37 100
Deborah Chatha
T44 100m
Walusungu Muluyapa
T11 200
Doreen Masamba
T13 200m
Eliza Kamanga
T13 400m
Sandra Mughogho
T13 800m
Atusaye Nyirenda
T11 100m
Doreen Masanza
MALE
T11 100m
Kelvin Phiri
T12 100m
Wongani Chawinga
T44 100m
Lumbani Msuku
T11 200m
Bosco Samuel
T13 200m
Moses Misoya
T37 200m
Frank Elias
T13 400m
George Kazembe
Para-Powerlifting
70kg category
Ruth Chirwa
25 kg category
Doreen Marshal
40kg category
Irene Majawa
20 kg category
Eranive Mweneya
MALE CATEGORY
72 kg
Chimwemwe mtolongo
65kg category
Isaac kaliati
49kg category
Tiyamike kasambara
97kg category
Chimwemwe makalani
Para-sitting volleyball
Marilu volleyball team
Para-blind chess
Kelvin Mphande