Football legends inspire Special Olympics athletes
Football Players Association of Malawi (Fpam) chairperson Ojukwu Malunga has said Special Olympics Malawi (SOM) athletes have the potential to make it into the national squad.
He was speaking last weekend after SOM and former national football team players in a unified match at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe last week.
Malunga, a former Flames and Be Forward Wanderers FC defender, expressed satisfaction with the level of maturity and hard-working spirit among the athletes.
“At first, I thought it could not be possible to play with SOM athletes. But now I appreciate their potential, and there are some who can play in the national team if given a chance,” he said.
He, therefore, urged SOM to intensify unified sports.
A 19-year-old SOM athlete, Chimwemwe January, said he was excited to play unified soccer with the former national football team players.
“I never dreamt that one day I could play soccer with legends. Hence, I am very happy to interact with these celebrated players,” January said.
Some of the ex-players that participated in the unified match included Gilbert Chirwa, Lovemore Fazili, Temwa Msuku, Thom Milanzi and Lawrence Mnenula.
