Sports Ministry joins Mwawi IWAG campaign
The Ministry of Sports and Culture has joined politicians and other religious figures in the country to campaign for Mwawi Kumwenda in International World Games Association (IWGA) Athlete of the Year Award voting.
Kumwenda is among 18 shortlisted candidates nominated by their international federations affiliated to IWGA.
Minister of Sports Grace Chiumia on Thursday called on Malawians to make it an effort to vote for Kumwenda so that she can win the prestigious award.
“She deserves the award looking at what she achieved last year at the Netball World Cup. Government is appealing to all Malawians to vote for our girl. The award will go a long way to motivate the girl child to pursue their dreams as Mwawi will be a role model,” said Chiumia.
Mwawi was named the Player of the Tournament for the Netball World Cup Sydney 2015 where her shooter’s success rate was 91 percent shots on target.
Back home, she was recently named 2015 Innovative Sports Personality of the Year by MBC after beating South Africa-based boxer Isaac Chilemba.
The 26-year-old is battling it out against other nominees such as Ukranian powerlifting champion Larysa Soloviova, American athlete Regina Jaquess, Thai martial artist Vewart Comta, Danish athlete Vewart Comta, Colombian archer Sara Lopez, Dutch Korfball star Mady Tims and American gymnast Laura Zeng.
Preliminary results show that Mwawi is leading with over 500 votes.
IWGA is a non-governmental and non-profit-making organisation recognised by International Olympic Committee (IOC) with membership from 36 international federations including International Netball Federation. n
