By Kondwani Kandiado, Contributor
DOWA-(MaraviPost)-Dowa Hammers on Thursday were crowned Champions of MK6 Million Plan International Bonanza after edging Young Talent of Dzaleka Refugee camp 3 -1 in a game played before a sizeable crowd at Dowa Community ground.
The Hammers opened the score sheet in the fifteenth minute through Hope Kansengwa who then doubled the lead in the Thirtieth minute.
Having put up a gallant fight, Young Talent had to reduce the arrears on the dot of half time through Patrick Pattie but Alex Katsokonya extended Hammers lead in the 63rd minute through a header making it 3-1
Hammers had carted home MK500,000.00 with runners up pocketing MK300,000.00 while teams on position three and four went went away with MK150,000.00 and MK100,000.00 respectively.
In an interview, Plan Malawi’s Area programmes manager, Dan Kapatuka said they had to organise the tournament to help foster peacefull coexistence between the refugee and the host community.
“We also wanted to raise awareness on our safeguarding policy as an organisation so that children are protected,” he said.
He also said they organised the tournament to help raise awareness on gender based violence which he said was rampant not only in refugee community but also Dowa in general.
“We are happy that we have managed to attain all the goals of organising the tournament as communities are able to interact and coexist,” he said.
Central Region Football Association chairperson Austin Ajawa said he was impressed with how the tournament has been run.
“We have not received any reports of violence and this tells us that the guys are professionals,” he said.
He then thanked the sponsor, Plan Malawi for the sponsorship which he said has helped expose hidden talent and uplift the game of football.
In netball, Dowa Police sisters thrashed Vision girls by 29 baskets to 5.
