By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dowa, August 15, Mana: District Sports Officer for Dowa, Loveness Phiri says investing in sports is a way of investing in Malawi’s human capital development as the country seeks to attain its 2063 Agenda (MW63).

She made the remarks in Dowa when Opulence Malawi donated sporting equipment to sporting teams of various disciplines at Chimwendo in Traditional Authority Chakhaza on Sunday.

"As local governments, we are championing government’s 2063 Agenda for a better Malawi. One of the important areas is human capital investment, that is, we must invest in the people for them to realise their maximum potential.

"One of the areas is sports. We have many young people with skills in various sports disciplines and all they need is support,” said Phiri.

She then commended Opulence Malawi for the donation which she described as an investment in sharpening skills of athletes in the district.

The district youth officer, however, called on the school-going-age youth to prioritise education, saying it can complement their sporting careers.

To all that benefited from the donation, Phiri advised them to take care of the equipment and ensure they properly utilise the donation as it might not always be there.

"We have seen people utilise a single chance given. You should also make sure that at the end of the day, you achieve something that you can show from this such as strengthened skills, exposure or networking," she advised.

According to Mike Siya, Project Manager for Opulence Malawi RUCOS Sports, the organisation is also implementing various interventions under pillars of education, nutrition and health.

He said the organisation came up with the initiative (donation of sporting equipment) to prevent the youth from idleness in their catchment area spanning 10 group village headmen (GVH).

“Apart from all the other social economic interventions we are implementing, we also want to empower our youth in sports.

“Sports is not only important for our physical wellbeing. It also takes the minds of our youth off immoral behaviours and gives them chance to focus on productive things. That is why we are presenting this equipment,” he said.

On the day, the organisation donated 20 footballs to 10 senior teams, 10 footballs to 10 U14 teams, 10 netballs and netball bibs, 2 volleyballs and upgraded 8 football grounds with metal goal posts.

Group Village Headman Chimwendo, in his remarks, said he was grateful for the various interventions Opulence Malawi is implementing, adding that they (interventions) would improve social economic lives of people in the area.

He, however, called for beneficiaries to make proper use of the donation and support all activities Opulence Malawi is implementing in the area.

The ceremony was spiced up by dancing competitions, volleyball and a netball match between Katungu and Chikwangula with the main event a match between Chimwendo FC and Mlangali FC which ended in a goalless draw.

This was not the first time the organisation donated in the catchment area. On July 10, 2023, Opulence Malawi made a similar donation of 20 footballs, football and netball nets, whistles, referee jerseys and, corner and lines man flags amongst other things.

The organisation has also trained two representatives from every GVH as football and netball coaches, referee and an umpire.

Mana/sk/thz