Minister of Youth and Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda has allayed fears that the current fuel crisis could affect the forthcoming Africa Union Sports Council (Ausc) Region 5 Youth Games.

The youth sports festival, which will attract 10 countries, is scheduled to run from December 2 to 11 in Lilongwe.

Chimwendo Banda: We have a contingency plan

In an interview yesterday, the minister said they have come up with contingency plans in the event that the fuel crisis persists.

He said: “We considered such a possibility and we are looking at two prospects. The first is that we are banking on an assurance from Nocma [National Oil Company of Malawi] and Mera [Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority] that the situation should stabilise in the next couple of days.

“In the event that the situation does not improve, we have come up with a contingency plan to address the situation.”

On Friday, Nocma spokesperson Rex Chikoko was quoted by The Nation as having said that government had moved to aggressively tackle the fuel crisis, which is stalling economic activity, by unlocking 30 million litres and chasing on new deals.

Meanwhile, about 227 athletes making Team Malawi at the games are expected to go into the third and final camping in Blantyre today.

Malawi National Council of Sports spokesperson Edgar Ntulumbwa said Malawi will compete in 10 sporting codes, namely football for both boys and girls, netball, volleyball, basketball, athletics, taekwondo, judo, boxing, swimming and tennis.

“E-sport will also be among the disciplines at the games on a trial basis,” he said.

The first camp took place in June in Blantyre while the second camping was held in September in Lilongwe.

After the second camping, the athletes were involved in residential camping where they were monitored by their coaches, Malawi Schools Sports and Association and officials from Sports Council.

Ntulumbwa said Team Malawi is expected to depart on November 27 for Lilongwe for the games ahead of the official opening ceremony on December 2 at the Bingu National Stadium.

The 10 countries which are expected to to compete for regional honours are Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, e-Swatini, Angola, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, while Mauritius and Seychelles will take part as guest participants.

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