Lilongwe to host women’s taekwondo championship Saturday

K1 million (about $1 300) is at stake in the first-ever Women Taekwondo National Championship to be held at Don Bosco Secondary School this Saturday in Lilongwe.

The competition has been organised by Taekwondo Association of Malawi (TAM)

According to TAM president Benedicto Tsinde, this will be the first time for the country to stage a women’s tournament.

“We are happy to announce that for the first time in our history we will have a pure women’s taekwondo competition. It is clear that not many women participate in this sport, the tournament, therefore, aims at encouraging ladies to love the sport,” he said.

The competition will be in three categories: children’s, juniors and seniors.

Teams from Mzuzu, Salima, Lilongwe, Blantyre, Chiladzulu and Zomba are expected to participate.

The champions in each category will receive K150 000 (about $201), the runners-up will get K100 000 (about $134) while the third-placed team will get K75 000 (about $100).

“We thank TAM for pumping K1 million towards this tournament. Women taekwondo players are those who are doing well in international tournaments. With this support, we can identify players that can do the country pride,” taekwondo assistant national coach Taipeni Kamanga said.

Meanwhile, Mzuzu Women Taekwondo Club has intensified preparations for the competition.

According to the club’s captain Chester Chikoti, 12 athletes will represent the team at the competition.

“We have assembled a strong squad for this tournament. People in Lilongwe should prepare for good display from Mzuzu,” she said. n