MOC, government establish long-term athletes programme
talent to its full potential
In an effort to get the best from athletes’ lives, government, Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) and Sports Council have established a programme called Long-Term Athletes Development, Weekend Nation has learnt.
According to MOC president Oscar Kanjala, the programme was initiated after research carried out by his organisation in the past two years revealed that Malawi was losing talent before it blossomed.
Kanjala said, among other aspects, the programme will prioritise safeguarding lives of athletes.
“The Long-Term Athletes Development plan encompasses many aspects, such as how athletes are identified, trained and developed. We want the athletes to live the maximum amount of their athletic lives,” Kanjala said.
He said the programme has also taken into consideration retirement life of the athlete.
Kanjala said apart from training, other factors within the athletes’ environment can have a significant impact on their ability to train and perform.
He said during a tripartite meeting they had it was agreed that there should be guidelines set by government to safeguard the career of athletes not only from self-directive lifestyles but also abuse by institutions such as sports academies.
Kanjala said under the programme promising or budding athletes will be closely monitored by government and Sports Council.
Deputy director in the Ministry of Sports, Justice Msopera, said the role that an athlete’s lifestyle can have on performance should never be underestimated.
“Countries such as China have sports programmes that focus on the life of athletes from elementary school. The result has been that they perform well at global tournaments, winning numerous medals,” said Msopera who was sent to China to learn about the structure of sports in that country.
Minister of Sports Grace Chiumia said the concept is that athletes be identified at all levels, not just urban area as is the case.
She said they plan to collaborate with the Ministry of Education in identifying sports talent.
