Chiefs hail Nankhumwa for tourneys

Chiefs in Mulanje Central Constituency have hailed the area’s member of Parliament (MP) Kondwani Nankhumwa for launching football and netball tournaments worth K3 million for traditional leaders.

Senior Chief Chikumbu saluted Nankhumwa on behalf of fellow traditional leaders during the finals at Chisitu ground in the district on Sunday.

“This is a unique tournament in that it is specifically for chiefs and they come together to share ideas through sports.

“Chiefs also need a break from their tasks of looking after their subjects and we commend Honourable Nankhumwa for the initiative,” she said.

On his part, Nankhumwa, who is also Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, said the tournament was the initiative of the chiefs themselves aimed at enhancing unity.

“When some chiefs approached me through Senior Chief Chikumbu, I felt it was a brilliant idea because it would also be used as a platform for interaction.

“The tournaments will also help the chiefs improve their health,” he said.

Nankhumwa, who also sponsors football and netball tournaments for teams in the constituency, also pledged to introduce football and netball tournaments for the youth.

“It is imperative that we also introduce youth tournaments because they are the breeding grounds for our future stars.

In the finals of the football tournament, Bale beat Old Lions 4-2 while in netball, Nankhumwa Queens beat Chikumbu Queens 11-4.

The champions in football received K350 000 plus a trophy while the runners-up and third-placed teams got K300 000 and K175 000, respectively. In netball, the winners were presented with a trophy and K300 000 while second and third-placed teams got K250 000 and K125 000 in that order.