By: Andrew Mkonda

Lilongwe, August 28, Mana: Lilongwe District Sports Officer, Eckima Chikafa has called on parents and teachers to encourage learners in their schools to show interest and take part in different sporting disciplines.

Chikafa made the call on Tuesday at Mdzobwe Primary School, in the area of Traditional Authority Kalolo in the district during the athletics competition.

“Learners are born with different talents, and for those talents to be exposed, there is need to encourage them in different sporting disciplines such as athletics. One may not be good in class, but he may be good at a certain sporting activity,” she said.

Councilor for Kachawa ward Laxton Mkasauka thanked Lilongwe district council for the initiative saying it will not only expose the learner’s talent, but also reduce drop-out rate in schools.

“We have seen some learners going to school and participate in sports. Let us encourage these sporting activities in schools,” he said.

Mkasauka then asked the district sports office to continue organizing such events in all educational zones in the district in order to identify genuine talents among the learners.

Speaking on behalf of other learners, Wycliff Godfrey of Mdzobwe primary school who won a medal in 200m race, expressed his excitement with the initiative saying it was his first time to win a medal in such competition.

“I am very excited with this initiative and I am encouraging my fellow learners to work hard in such competitions so that they too win awards in the future,” he said.

During the competition, five schools participated namely: Sawuzawana primary school, Chambwe, Mdzobwe, Chigunda and Mdzobwe Community Day Secondary School.

Among other activities, learners competed in 3,000 metres race, egg-race and sack-race. The wining learners went away with different medals.