By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi team which participated in the just-ended 11th edition of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) region 5 Youth games in Namibia has returned via Kamuzu International Airport (KIA), Lilongwe after finishing 7th out of 10 participating countries banging 34 medals.
The medals have dropped from the 10th edition which Malawi hosted in 2022 as team Malawi scooped 44 which comprised of 8 gold, 10 Silver and 26 bronze and team Malawi finished on finished 6th.
This time around the team has finished seventh with 34 medals with 7 gold, 12 silver and 15 bronze.
South Africa continued with their dominance at the region tournament as they have scooped 143 medals with 64 Gold medals, 46 silver and 33 bronze on the summit of the 10 countries’ table.
The host Namibia finished as runners-up with 24 gold medals, 34 silver and 32 Bronze totaling to 90 medals as Zimbabwe came third with 89 medals with 22 gold medals, 27 Silver and 40 bronze.
Despite the drop in the medals, Malawi National Council of Sports Chief Executive Officer, Henry Kamata has however expressed satisfaction with the performance.
“Team Malawi has performed tremendously well collecting 34 medals including 7 gold medals. This is exceptional performance and this has not just come on a silver platter but the effort the government had put to the team.
Kamata added, “We had four camps in preparation for the games during school holidays. We are changing the narrative of sports in the country so that Malawi should enjoy and be entertained by Malawi sport”.
Kamata has since reaffirmed government continued support towards the 2040 Commonwealth Games and 2032 Olympics.
He said they will continue investing in youths as they develop future athletes.
Malawi Under-20 National football team left a mark at the games after winning Silver in the Cosafa Cup with their player Mwisho Mhango scooping a double, as too goal scorer and player of the tournament.
The team reached the final for the first time in 22 years,however lost to the South Africa’s Amajita 3-0. Para-Athletics also did well with five medals-one gold,two silver and two bronze.