Sports a way out of poverty, says Odillo
Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Commander General Henry Odillo has urged officers and soldiers to take sports seriously as it can lead them to untold wealth.
Odillo said this when he opened the MDF Inter-Unit Sports Festival at the Malawi Armed Forces Training College (Mafco) in Malawi’s lakeshore district of Salima on Tuesday.
“For those individuals who may stand out as the best, this could open the way for them to shine at national and international levels, but also act as an opportunity to earn extra money. Any sport can earn individuals millions of kwacha, enabling them to do virtually anything,” said Odillo.
He also appealed to the corporate world to sponsor outstanding talent within MDF to nurture it so that Malawi can be represented successfully in international competitions such as the Olympic and Commonwealth games.
“As MDF, we will support those who do well to reach their maximum, but we cannot do that alone. We need companies to come in and sponsor individual athletes. We have boxers in MDF who are doing well, but need sponsorship to reach greater heights,” he said.
He warned MDF athletes against bad behaviour, which he said cuts short budding talent.
“If you are to succeed and get wealthy there is need for individuals to be working hard and desist from behaviours that may shorten their careers as we have already witnessed in some cases,” he said.
Apart from MDF, the games have been sponsored by SF International who have pumped in K3.5 million (about $8 750), Nico Life K2.5 million (about $6 250) and Zagaf K300 000 (about $750).
