Malawi pool team needs K13m for Aapa

The Malawi Pool Association (Mapa) needs K13 million to dispatch the national pool team to the 2014 All Africa Pool (Aapa) championship in Tanzania mid October.

Mapa general secretary Saulos Thindwa on Monday indicated that six countries have confirmed their participation in the Tanzania event, which Malawi hosted last year at Robin’s Park. Malawi team struggled in last year’s edition.

“Initially, we proposed to government through Council that we send one womens’ and one mens’ team of six players each plus five officials, but the cost was too high against our annual subvention of K2 million meant for our activities. We have, therefore, sent Council a revised budget of one men team to travel to Tanzania for the games. We hope that government, through Sports Council, will allow us to take part in the games next month,” Thindwa explained.

“The team will be expected to travel by road due to insufficient funds, but we would have loved if it flew into Dar es laam so that the players appreciate the importance of representing the country and work hard to improve their game with an aim flying again should they perform,” Thindwa added.

Mapa has, in addition to contacting the private sector for support, since committed K1 million from its K2 million annual subvention to go towards the Tanzania trip.

“It is our hope that the companies we have approached will respond positively and we will in return promote their brands through our games,” Thindwa added.