By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The sharp increase in the prices of essential commodities since December last year has forced the Malawi Paralympic Committee (MPC) to reduce the number of athletes expected to participate in the 2025 Malawi Para Games, initially the number was 110 but it may go down.
The games are scheduled to take place on 12 April 2026 at Bingu National Stadium in the capital, Lilongwe.
According to MPC, the rising cost of living has significantly affected the organization’s budget, making it difficult to accommodate a larger number of athletes for the national event.
Originally planned for December 2025, the games were postponed due to adverse weather conditions caused by heavy rains that affected many parts of the country.
The rains disrupted athletes’ preparations and created transportation challenges after several key roads and bridges were washed away.
Despite the setbacks, MPC has expressed gratitude to the Malawi National Council of Sports for its continued support during the preparations.
The committee has also appealed to the corporate sector to step in and provide financial and logistical assistance, revealing that it is still awaiting responses from several companies it has approached.
MPC emphasized that the Para Games play a crucial role in identifying and developing athletes who can represent Malawi in international competitions, making support for the event vital to the growth of para sports in the country.
The athletes are anticipated to compete in the following sport codes; Para Powerlifting, Para Athletics, Wheel Chair racing, Sitting Volleyball and Chess for the blind.
Despite the challenges, MPC is geared and ready to host a successful and memorable event.