By Alex Banda Kachingwe

Blantyre, June 13, Mana: Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) has described the death of Malawi’s Vice President, Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima as untimely and a heavy blow to different sporting codes in Malawi.

Chilima who died in a tragic plane crash on Monday, June 10, 2024 together with nine other officials on board in Chikangawa Forest Reserve in Mzimba District is viewed as a person who was dedicated to sports in Malawi.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), MNCS Public Relations and Communications Officer, Edgar Ntulumbwa said the council is shocked with Chilima’s untimely death and that it will have a big impact on sports in the country.

“As you are aware, many of the sporting codes have difficulties acquiring support from the corporate world and the late Chilima did not just only take part in sporting activities, but was also involved in fundraising activities that assisted many sporting disciplines,” said Ntulumbwa.

“The late Chilima was a complete player in basketball, volleyball, golf and cycling, just to mention a few sporting disciplines,” Ntulumbwa said, adding that the council will always cherish the contributions he made to develop sports.

Concurring with Ntulumbwa, a Lilongwe based ardent UTM follower, Shakira Beni said the death of Chilima, who was the party’s president was very shocking, such that the party has lost a visionary leader.

“This is not the loss to the party only, but also to the nation. Our social and political landscape has been greatly affected,” said Beni.

Meanwhile, President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has declared that the nation should observe a period of 21 days of mourning from June 11 to July 1, 2024 in honour of the late Chilima and nine others killed in the plane crash.