National Sports

Malawi to host Olympic and Africa Day Celebrations Marathon

The Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) has been appointed to host the Olympic Day Marathon after being offered sponsorship for the event by Mitsubishi through the Japanese Embassy to Malawi.

Mitsubishi, which has sponsored marathons in Kenya, has decided to move this programme to Malawi.
Runner

“Recently, at a meeting of Olympic Committees of Southern Africa (namely from countries of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe) in an organisation called Confederation of Southern Africa National Olympic Committees (Cosanoc), agreed to celebrate the Olympic Day as one family,” said George Jana executive secretary of the Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS).

Jana said it was resolved that each of the 10 countries should feature in the marathon a minimum of eight athletes split at four male and four female in the following events: Veterans (each between male and female), active athletes (one each between male and female), juniors (one each between male and female), the disabled (one each between male and female).

As part of the Olympic Day celebration there is always a “fun run” where people of all ages and kinds, run 10 kilometres for fun only and also a few other sporting activities of choice.

“Currently, it has been agreed that the celebrations will happen in Lilongwe on July 11 and the organising committee comprises representations from the Ministry of Sports, Sports Council, MOC, Japanese Embassy and Athletics Association of Malawi,” said Jana.

MOC president Oscar Kanjala has described the development as great honour to host such an event.

“It is also an opportunity for our athletes to use the event to prepare for the Olympic Games that will take place in Rio, Brazil next year,” said Kanjala.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) executive member James Mwenda will lead the organising team.

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