LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Football has been described as benchmark for national unity, President Lazarus Chakwera said this last evening at Kamuzu Palace, in the capital Lilongwe.
Addressing the four national teams of Zimbabwe the warriors, Kenya the Harambe Stars, Zambia Chipolopolo boys and the Malawi National team the frames, Chakwera said the leadership appreciates the role football plays in uniting people of different backgrounds.
“Footballunites people of different backgrounds to share in the joys and sorrows of our shared humanity. Football teaches us anatomy,strategy, symmetry, artistry, chivalry, camaraderie, integrity humility, and generosity,” he said.
Chakwera said Football provides a powerful metaphorand model for all of life.
“For we all know that to live in this world victoriously involves mastering the multiple skills of knowing the rules of life, tackling opposition to defend your values without being disqualified, playing with less players than others.
“When you suffer fouls, taking the penalties of life withcomposure, avoiding the offside traps and own goals that canpunish us when we lose concentration, healing our injuries and wounds to stay in the game long term, and being a team player,” he lauds.
Chakwera said football is also an excellent training ground for givingeverything in achieving the dreams and learning to rise from death and defeat when dreams come crashing down.
“Because we must not forget the words of Coach Thobejane, whofamously said that football can kill you a real death.For these reasons and more, what a nation invests in its sportsis a reflection of how much value that nation places on itshealth, its unity, its sense of identity, its youth, and its place in the global village.
“For us in Malawi, we are determined to takeall the sports disciplines in which we have a competitive advantage to the next level, and football is one of them,” he added.
The four senior football teams that are camped here in our capital Lilongwe are all destined to compete in the Four Nations Tournament.
