By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Tabitha Chawinga “The scorchers captain” who won the Golden boot accolade in the Italy’s Serie A women’s football league in 2023 season has received a heroes welcome on her arrival in the country from Italy.
The plane which flew the star touched the base of the Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in the capital Lilongwe, on Thursday, June 8, l2023 around 1230hours and was welcomed by thousands of her country’s fanatics.
Addressing the media at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) the Malawi National women football team skipper said, was delighted for winning the accolade and being the first African player to attain the record.
Tabitha also told the press that she would be speaking on her future later on as she has a running contract with a Chinese outfit Wuhan.
“I will talk about my future later on as I was on loan at Inter Milan hence I have to return to China then I will know my next move. Yes many teams have shown interest in my services but I can’t comment right now as I have left all things in the hands of my agent and my parent club Wuhan to discuss and map my way forward.
“Let me encourage all girls who are playing Women’s football in the country to continue working hard and disregard all sorts of insults people cast on them.This is a calling from God”, said Chawinga.
On her remarks Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation Liana Kakhobwe Chapota who represented First Lady Monica Chakwera said she is overwhelmed with what Tabitha has achieved saying she has put Malawi flag on high.
“My coming is not necessarily on my capacity as deputy minister but I have been sent by the first couple State President Lazarus Chakwera and Her Excellence Madame Monica Chakwera to give our star a hero’s welcome because she is representing girls in the country and putting the Malawi flag on world map.
“She has achieved what many Africans have failed to attain over many years hence as government we saw it necessary to give her the warm welcome.Tabitha has given a platform to all Youth who take football as a sport mainly for boys. Let me take opportunity to urge all youth to embrace what Tabitha has done for the country. As government we are committed to develop different sporting codes from grassroots”,
Adallide Migogo Chairperson for the National Women’s Football in Malawi was also overwhelmed with Chawinga’s achievement describing it as a motivation to other players.
“She has sent a message that if you work hard the sky is not the limit if you work hard these are the fruits which one can bear. We will use her as a motivator to other Scorchers players.
“Let me appeal to Sponsors, cooperate world and individuals to come into the women’s football developments so that we produce a lot of the Tabithas”, Migogo said.
Tabitha Chawinga won the Serie A golden boot award with 23 goals being the first African and Malawi being that African country. She also won such accolades in Sweden and China.
Congrats Tabie and much welcome home.