Malawi’s President Bingu wa Mutharika has said the country has invested a lot in sports now to start conquering the world in international events.The President made the call on Saturday when ‘he launched the 2012 edition of the K120 million (about $720 000) Presidential Initiatives on Sports at Kamuzu Stadium in Malawi’s commercial hub, Blantyre.
He said for the past four years, the initiative has proved to be a good forum for talent identification as well as enhancing competition.
“I am here with these trophies for local competitions. I want next time these trophies to be won by Malawian teams and athletes at international events.
“As a country, we need to start making a name in sports globally by winning big international tournaments. I know we have talent in this country capable of conquering the world,” he said.
Mutharika advised the Sports Ministry and Sports Council to diversify in sports development.
“Let us not concentrate on football and netball only. Let us promote all sporting events because we do not know where our gold may come from,” he said.
Added Mutharika: “Let us explore all areas of sports and soon we will be a big sporting nation. Sports unite people. When we win internationally, it is not individuals who win, it is Malawi and not DPP or any other party or religion, but Malawi.”
The President thanked companies that have been sponsoring sports in the country and urged others from the corporate sector to follow suit.
In his remarks Minister of Youth Development and Sports Symon Vuwa-Kaunda said the initiative has played a big role in developing sports in the country.
The launch was spiced by a number of activities with the main activity being a football match between Presidential Cup defending champions Mighty Wanderers and newly crowned TNM Super League champions Silver Strikers.
Wanderers won the game 1-0 through a 48th minute strike by Pilirani Zonda.
The Nomads pocketed K1.5 million (about $8 982) whereas Silver received K1 million (about $6 000). In netball, Bingu Tigresses and MTL Queens drew 10-10 in match played in two quarters of eight minutes each.
Earlier on, Wilson Masamba suffered a third defeat at the hands of Lilongwe-based boxer Crispin Moliati who won on points in their six-round non-title bout.
In a ladies’ boxing affair, Eliza Nota outpointed Enelesi Nkhwanthi in a three-round bout.
