By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Minister of Youth and Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda is appealing to Malawians to embrace the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 games which the country is expected to host in the coming month of December in the capital Lilongwe.
Banda disclosed that Malawi is ready to host the 10th edition of the games after failing the same 20 years ago when the tournament was established.
The Minister told the news conference on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at Griffin Saenda Indoor Sports Complex in the capital Lilongwe that all is set for the games.
“We have completed the preparations for this big event. We are still not at full but we are equally ready to host the games. Currently the 13 countries are already in the country. Games will start on November 30 but the opening ceremony will be on December 2 at BNS”,
“There was pressure to make sure the facilities are in the state of hosting the games. People have worked tirelessly to have Griffin Saenda Indoor Sports Complex done which is one of its kind in the country to host the event. What is remaining is Kamuzu Institute for Sports Aquatic Complex but it will also be available for the games”, said Chimwendo.
The Minister highlighted that Griffin Saenda Indoor Sports Complex will be hosting netball, basketball, Volleyball and tennis while Bingu National Stadium is eyemarked to host football matches which are the TotalErnegies CAF/COSAFA Under 17 Algeria qualifiers.
However, Civo Stadium which was previously announced not fit to host games will be used as training venue.
Banda has however appealed to Malawians to patronize the games in large numbers to show appreciation of hosting the tournament.
President Lazarus Chakwere is expected to preside over official opening on December 2 at Bingu Stadium.
Malawi Under 17 football national team are in group A alongside Botswana, Namibia and Angola.
Junior Flames will kick start the 2023 Algeria journey against the Zebras of Botswana.
Women’s Football team is in group A with South Africa and Namibia.
