MOC sharpens sports administrators’ marketing skills

Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) at the weekend conducted a two-day sports administration course in Blantyre aimed at sharpening sports administrators’ marketing skills.

The participants were drawn from various associations.

MOC vice-president Flora Mwandira said they organised the course after noting that most sports associations struggle to strike sponsorship deals or partnerships, a development that stifles sports progress.

“Nowadays, sports is big business but it is difficult for local sports disciplines to have good relationship with people that have the resources. It is only through acquiring strategic marketing skills that administrators can change things for the better,” she said.

Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) schools sports coordinator Margaret Ngugama and Malawi Schools Sports Association (Massa) Blantyre Urban chairperson Ignasio Libwalo, who were among the 30 participants, said they are happy that MOC organised the course that will enhance their sports marketing knowledge.

“We understand that sports is no longer child’s play but big business that has to be done very well. We need to look at sports seriously and focus on how to build strong relationship with various stakeholders,” Ngugama said.

The course, which Mark Tembo and Isaac Masingati facilitated, focused much on key areas of marketing, governance, strategic partnership, sports development and financial sustainability. n