Minister of Youth ad Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda has urged Team Malawi to make the country proud by sweeping all medals at the Ausc Region 5 Youth Games in Lilongwe from December 2 to 11.

The minister said this on Saturday during the Team Malawi send-off ceremony held at Crossroads Hotel in Blantyre.

The minister (in purple shirt) poses with Team Malawi

He said: “Team Malawi are carrying our hopes and the message is, go get the medals. Win for us, win for Malawi, win for yourselves.”

Team Malawi has 227 athletes who will compete in 10 sporting codes which include; football (boys and girls), netball, volleyball, basketball, athletics, taekwondo, judo, boxing, swimming and tennis.

The minister also urged the athletes to take their sports careers seriously.

Chimwendo Banda said: “It’s an opportunity for them to showcase their talent and carry the Malawian flag.

“At the same time, this is your future. This is your career. You never know where the sports career can take you to.”

The Ausc Region 5 Youth Games target under-19 athletes and Chimwendo Banda said this is ideal for the ministry’s sports development agenda.

He said: “This age group is the hub of sports in Malawi. If we can’t develop sports from this level then forget about it.

“I am happy that we are hosting these games. I am glad that we are investing in the youth because we know that the future of sports in Malawi lies in these young athletes.”

Commenting on Malawi’s preparedness to host the event, Chimwendo Banda said the country is now ready despite facing some challenges.

He said: “We are ready. On infrastructure, we were slow due to a number of different factors, but I am glad I can report to Malawians that we are ready. Come December 2, everything will be fine.”

Team Malawi camped at Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences in Blantyre.

The athletes started camp on November 14 and are expected to depart for the games on November 30.

Last year, Team Malawi won 29 medals in Maseru Region 5 Youth Games.

Malawi National Council of Sports board chairperson Sunduzwayo Madise said this time they expect even more medals.

He said: “Our target is to sweep everything and just leave a few medals for the other countries so that they should not feel bad to have come to Malawi.

“But we are not giving too much pressure to the atheletes. They are young athletes, indeed they must represent Malawi but they also must enjoy themselves.”

Ten countries namely; Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, e-Swatini, Angola, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa will compete for regional honours at the games, while Mauritius and Seychelles are coming in as guest countries.

Under-17 footballer, Blessings Kanowa said they are prepared for the Games.

He said: “Our preparations were perfect. I can promise Malawians that we will win .n

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