Sports Council honours athlete with disability who finished the 2021 Blantyre Marathon

Samuel Mbukwa being presented with special medal by Jappie Mhango (left) and Sunduzwayo Madise 

* He finished in 3:05:00 — 13 seconds from women’s champion Nalicy Chirwa at 3:04:47

* Also honoured veteran, 58-year-old Vincent Kasunda who came 17th in 2:59:40

By Duncan Mlanjira

Malawi National Council of Sports made special recognition of athlete with disability, Samuel Mbukwa, who travelled all the way from Chitipa to participate in the 2021 Blantyre Marathon and finished the whole 42.195km.

As the women’s champion Nalicy Chirwa ran towards the finish at Kamuzu Stadium, the crowd noticed a male athlete who was running with a limp and thought he had got injured along the way.

It wasn’t until during medal presentation that it came to light that he is an athlete with disability through an announcement made by Sports Council acting Executive Secretary, Henry Mereka.

After medal presentation for the marathon and relay winners, Mereka invited guest of honour Minister of Sports Ulemu Msungama back to the winners podium as Sports Council had special awards for two outstanding athletes — Mbukwa and 58-year-old veteran Vincent Kasunda.

Kasunda, who started running in 1984 and was champion of Lilongwe Marathon in 1987, came 17th in a time of 2:59:40 — 37 minutes away from the 2021 winner, Zomba-based Mphatso Nadolo who clocked 2:22:58.

The crowd cheered for Kasunda but a large cheer was for Mbukwa as he walked towards to the podium to be accorded with a special medal and a K100,000 prize money.

Mereka said Sports Council has taken cognizance that athletes like Mbukwa have their own special marathons and it pleased them to honour him with a special prize for his courage to finish the whole route.

Mbukwa finished in 3:05:00 — 13 seconds from women’s champion Nalicy Chirwa at 3:04:47 and he had been abreast of her until the finals meters when Chirwa increased her pace.

In an interview, Mbukwa — a technician and cook at Chitipa Secondary School — said running has always been his passion since he was nine years old.

“When my mother sent me for errands, I always ran wherever I was sent to,” he said. “It has always been my passion even at school where I participated in any running competitions.

“I always register for competitions and I practise by running some 32km from Chitipa Boma to Kamwenje, which I did several times to prepare for this marathon.”

Asked if he found the 42.195km route daunting, he said he enjoyed himself and given the chance again he wants to achieve a personal best in the next event.

The Blantyre Marathon route is quite daunting as several parts are uphill. It starts from Ginnery Corner roundabout in Blantyre to Chichiri roundabout where it branches off towards Kwacha Roundabout all the way to TVM, past St. Columbus CCAP Church and all the way to Kudya trading centre.

At Kudya, the route heads towards Zingwangwa and all the way to Stella Maris Secondary School where it turns a steep uphill towards Moneymen Club then past Catholic Institute (CI) down to Mudi River Bridge along Victoria Avenue.

Then there is a steep climb all the way to Sunbird Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre Central Business District and goes down to what is popularly known as Kandodo Corner Shop where it branches off to Mbayani.

From Motel Paradise there is another steep climb up to what is known as Pa Malandrover and goes downhill for another sharp rise to Kameza Kameza roundabout before turning towards Machinjiri turn off where there is the Ernegem Filling Station.

The route then heads into Machinjiri, in uphill past Luwanda Trading Centre; Area 5; Mkolokoti, Makhetha before joining the road from Zomba.

Here it’s downhill past Lever Brothers; past Maselema Roundabout and reaching Chichiri Roundabout where it branches off Makata road and into Kamuzu Stadium for the finish line in front of the VIP Stand.

Mbukwa bemoaned lack of competitions in the country, saying he would have loved if there were several in which he could strive to break his personal best and qualify for Special Olympics.

Minister Msungama and Sports Council Board chairperson Sunduzwayo Madise said there was the need to have other marathons the cities of Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Zomba as well as half marathons to expose more youngsters who are barred from doing the full 42.195km.