K6 Million Needed For Malawi’s Representation At WTA Mexico Tourney

Malawi Taekwando Association is seeking K6 million to send one of its athletes, either Stanislaus Phiri or Joseph Phiri to this year’s World Taekwando competition to be held in Mexico from the 1st November.

One of the two athletes will represent Malawi on that big stage following their impressive performances in the recent competition which earned them gold medals in Maputo, Mozambique.

President of the Taekwando Association of Malawi, Chitechi ‘Chitty’ Nkhwazi banks his hopes on government and other well wishers to assist with funds to enable one of the athletes travel to the South American Federal capital district, Mexico City.

“We must at least send one of the two athletes who have shown the highest level of quality and success by winning gold medals in Mozambique during the World Taekwando Association games and eSwathini during Regional-5 games, we are fingers crossed either government and other well wishers to assist,” Nkhwazi said.

On the progression of the sport, the Taekwando leader who is a theologian from Texila American University and a Labour rights activist said the recent graduation of 100 beginners in schools with white and yellow belts gives hope for the future prospects of the game in the country.

Despite a break in trainings due to the novel Covid-19 pandemic the Taekwando Association of Malawi have managed to conduct online trainings for the administrators and referees at various stages of the sport, starting with beginners to advanced stages.

Speaking to the media in on arrival from Maputo, Mozambique the all time gold medalist, Stanislaus Phiri said he is still raising his game hence defending the championship.

“I was also there in Maputo, Mozambique in 2019 and emerged champion, the recent trip was meant to defend the title and it surely happened,” Phiri said.

Commenting on the financial appeal from government, the Malawi National Council of Sports spokesperson, Edgar Nthulumba referred this reporter back to the Taekwando Association of Malawi if they submitted their budget to the Council for consideration.

However, Nkhwazi who is an achiever in international Peace Keeping missions and one time best soldier, Platoon Commander at Moyale Barracks responded saying the Taekwando Association of Malawi had to exhaust all avenues in resource mobilization for a possible funding before engaging government through the Malawi National Sports Council.

The WTA organized competition in Maputo brought athletes from eSwathin, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, the hosting nation, Mozambique and of course Malawi.