Beach soccer in back to school initiative

Beach Soccer Malawi (BSM) has introduced ‘back to school initiative’ which is aimed at mobilising the youth along the lakeshore area districts to return to school.

The initiative comes after schools, which were closed in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic, reopened on Monday.

BSM chairperson Gift Chimbalanga said they have been prompted to introduce the initiative following a high school dropout rate along the lakeshore.

“Sport is a partner in development; hence, the initiative to ensure pupils return to school,” he said.

Chimbalanga said the long break has worsened the situation along the area.

He said: “So far, we have arranged with primary school head teachers, mostly those in the lakeshore area, to get ready for this initiative that we are calling ‘back to school initiative’.

“Next week my team will visit  district education managers and district sports officers to engage and involve them in the initiative.

“Since only examination classes are currently open, we have a bit of time to strategise.”

The initiative is also expected to roll out in Nkhata Bay, Karonga, Nkhotakota and Salima.

Chimbalanga said BSM is also distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) which pupils need  to be allowed back in class.

“We have already started this process in Chintheche [in Nkhata Bay], mostly on face masks and sanitisers.

 “We are also supporting the children returning to school with some school materials such as uniforms and books,” he said.

BSM has also introduced a regulation that allows only those in school to participate in it’s youth competitions.

“Only those who go to school shall play in our leagues of under 14,16 and 18.

“Shortly we will give basic training to teachers in all schools on the rules of the game,” said Chimbalanga.

Kondwani Kapito, a teacher at Chimbere Full Primary School in Chintheche, which has benefitted from the initiative, thanked BSM for the donations.

“This will go a long way in keeping the pupils in school,” he said.