Athletics trainer John Mwathiwa will be in charge of the 15-member Malawi athletics team at the Southern African Cross-Country in Lesotho next week.
In an interview on Wednesday, Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) president Godfrey Phiri confirmed the appointment of Mwathiwa.
“The technical committee settled for Mwathiwa because he has been to a number of international events with success. He won gold the last time he went for such a competition. A number of top athletes such as national champion Cephas Kasten are his products, so we believe that he will have good working relationship with them and bring results,” said Phiri.
Mwathiwa said in an interview that he feels humbled and will do his best to ensure that his charges bring medals.
The athletes are currently undergoing non residential training, but will go in residential camp in Blantyre at the weekend.
AAM has a budget of K2.5 million (about $7 142) for the trip, but are short of close to a million kwacha.
“We have an allocation of K1.3 million (about $3 714) at National Sports Council, MOC has pledged to help us with half a million kwacha for fuel. That leaves us with a shortage of K800 000 (about $2 285) which we are appealing for from companies and other well-wishers. This is an important tournament as it will help us expose our athletes as we prepare to produce qualifying athletes for the 2016 Olympics,” said Phiri.
