I can’t promise much—Sports minister Chiumia
For the first time in Malawi’s history, the sports sector has a female minister Grace Obama Chiumia. She was sworn in yesterday at Mtunthama State Lodge in Lilongwe alongside eight other new Cabinet ministers.
Chiumia said this a few minutes after she had been sworn-in as a Cabinet Minister at Mthunthama State Lodge in Lilongwe yesterday, following her historic appointment by President Peter Mutharika.
“I am well aware that there are major challenges concerning sports in Malawi, mainly because of a lack of resources. I cannot give my specific plans now, for I need to consult widely first. But I know that we will need to start looking for more resources, so that this country does better,” she stated.
Chiumia said she could not promise much.
“Well, I cannot promise much because I have just been appointed. The first step will be to consult and familiarise with the stakeholders, then I can come up with a strategy and plans on the way forward,” said the 35-year-old minister.
Chiumia said: “It [Obama] was a nickname given to me by my constituents after I became the first MP to be re-elected, and incredibly, just like Obama became the first black-American president, I have also become the first female sports minister.”
The sports fraternity on Thursday welcomed the appointment of a female minister describing it as refreshing.
Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) president Rosy Chinunda said being a predominantly female sport, the netball fraternity is excited with Chiumia’s appointment.
“Obviously, we are very excited and we have hope that she will play a big role in the development of sports in general.
“We have high expectations from her and we are hoping that our cry for a state-of-the-art netball arena will now be heard and being a sport that has put the country on the map, we expect her support,” said Chinunda.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu said: “We are blessed. She is assured of our support and we wish her well as she starts her new duties.”
The FAM president said their expectation is that she will come up with policies that will make sports compete at global level.
“We are missing opportunities because we do not have the right policies, so we’ll be looking up to her to champion our cause and also lobby for more funding because funding for sports has been very low,” said Nyamilandu.
The last minister before the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was elected back into government, was Enoch Chakufwa Chihana who succeeded Symon Vuwa-Kaunda.
