St. Andrew’s launches new sport, climbing wall

Saint Andrew’s International High School in Blantyre on Tuesday launched climbing wall—a sport in which participants climb an artificially constructed wall according to designed routes.

In an interview during the launch, Matthew Fitton, a teacher at the school who introduced the game together with Jes Bates, said the sport offers good exercise.

“It is a sport which requires strength and bravery. I have been involved in the sport in England for the past eight years and I have seen the benefits, one of which is that it often attracts people who are not good in team sport and it is great for their self-esteem,” said Fitton.

He said about K5 million (about $12 000) was invested in the construction of the climbing wall which will also be open to the public on some days.

Fitton said the response from the students has been overwhelming and they are planning to open it to the public in the evenings and the details will be advertised by the Climbing Mountain of Malawi in due course.

The school’s head teacher Gordon Benbow described climbing wall as a fantastic sport that creates a lot of enthusiasm and his school is willing to promote the sport.

On Monday, the first-ever competition was organised and it was won by Tom Bates who said it was a good feeling to win the inaugural tournament.

One of the sport’s keen followers, Mary-Crystal McFadden, said she is excited with the sport and it is helping to improve her muscle-build which will in turn help her realise her dream to become a good swimmer.

According to Wikipedea, a climbing wall is an artificially constructed wall with grips for hands and feet, usually used for indoor climbing, but sometimes located outdoors.