* Programme launched at Goliati in Thyolo whose two schools to benefit through renovations of football, netball, volleyball and basketball fields
* As well as providing sports equipment, drilling teachers with physical education skills among other amenities
By Victor Singano Jnr.
Finish charity organisation, Liike Sports & Development Foundation and Malawi National Council of Sports have entered into a partnership which will see the two institutions working in collaboration in implementing sports programs which are aimed at promoting various sporting disciplines in primary and secondary schools.
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The international foundation, which receives support through the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Foundation for Children, unveiled the initiative at Goliati Primary and Secondary School in Thyolo District where a 6 months pilot project will be implemented before spreading to other schools across the country.
The Foundation’s director, Ari Johannes Koivu said the programme is expected to focus on areas such as sports development through a number of activities to be conducted in schools as well as increasing academic performance among learners.
Koivu indicated that at Goliati, the Foundation will among other things get involved in working on renovating football, netball, volleyball, and basketball fields, providing sports equipment, drilling teachers with physical education skills among other amenities.
He took cognizance that “Malawi’s primary and secondary schools face severe challenges such as overcrowded classrooms, lack of sports facilities, shortage of teachers, high dropout rates”.
“The schools in Goliati, which have over 2,500 pupils, face extremely poor sports environments, so after engaging stakeholders we considered them to be the first beneficiary of the programme in order to help address the problems.”
Koivu added that the Foundation aims to offer a unique opportunities by promoting health, education, gender equality and community cohesion.
Malawi Sports Council acting Chief Executive Officer, Ivy Chinangwa said she was very delighted with the introduction of the project,,which she emphasised that it will contribute positively to the development of various sporting codes in the country and ensure school sport is moving to the right direction by unearthing talented athletes.
“As Sports Council, our mandate is to develop sports and the coming in of Liike-Sports & Development as a new partner makes us to feel good because our focus also dwells much on developing grassroots sport which relies on schools.
“It is our expectation that this project will play a crucial part in taking Malawi Sport to a higher level,” said Chinangwa of the project that will cost a total of K78 million.
Goliati Primary School deputy headteacher, Austin Mongola said the support will help a lot in motivating the learners to get attracted and start participating in different sporting activities.
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