21 enrol for Olympic sports diploma

The number of Olympic sports diploma holders should swell to over 60 following the latest intake of students who started the International Olympic Committee (IOC)-sponsored course on Saturday in Blantyre.

Over 20 students drawn from across Malawi in districts such as Nkhata Bay, Salima, Zomba, Lilongwe, Dedza, Dowa and Blantyre attended the first two-day classes from Saturday at Malawi Sun Hotel.

This is the third intake with the other two intakes having swallowed up estimated 40 participants. IOC sponsored the course through its local arm, the Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC).

Speaking when she opened the course, Malawi National Council of Sports board member Wilma Chalulu challenged the participants to make a difference to Malawi sports administration once they graduate.

“Worldwide sports has witnessed phenomenal growth; hence, there is need for sound sports management systems. Sports management is one of the growing disciplines. Please make a difference to Malawi sports,” said Chalulu.

Earlier on, MOC representative Ken Dzekedzeke encouraged the participants to make the most of the learning opportunity.

Course director Dr. Mark Tembo said the training was meant to build an Olympic family “that knows what it takes to run sports.”

The course, which covers subjects such as sports strategic management, leadership, athletes’ development and governance will run for eight months with long distance as the usual mode of studying punctuated by some classes.