Malawi President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and his spouse the First Lady Madame Gertrude boosted Malawi national women’s and men’s netball teams ahead of Africa Netball Cup with a K10 million donation.
A statement posted on the Statehouse, says the donation to assist the teams in their final preparations for the championship scheduled for December 8-14.
Madame Gertrude Mutharika broke the news on Tuesday during a surprise visit to the teams’ training camp at the Griffin Saenda Netball Complex in Lilongwe.
“As your top fans, His Excellency the President and I thought it wise that I should come to cheer you up. And to ease some of your financial challenges, we are making a financial contribution of K5 million to the Queens and K5 million to the Kings,” she said.
The announcement excited the players and Netball Association of Malawi.
The First Lady also urged the teams to be focused and determined throughout their preparations to excel in the championship on home soil.
The Local Organising Committee Chairperson Limbani Matola commended the First Couple for the donation, saying it underlines their commitment to ensure the success of the competition.
Said Matola: “I would like to commend the First Couple for the K10 million donation. We would like to thank the Malawi government they committed K350 million towards the organisation and hosting of the Africa Netball Cup which they have fully approved and allocated. So far, we are working tirelessly to make sure that the venue is ready.
“There are a few touch-ups to be done because we have installed the wooden floor, electricity and water have been finalised in terms of installation. We are also working with the Ministry of Youth and Culture to ensure that everthing is ready and in good shape. The other things are logistics, transportation and accommodation.
Accommodation has been booked and we don’t have headache in that area.”
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Patricia Wiskes said the First Lady’s visit was a motivation and would encourage the players to work hard and do well.
Picture Credit: NAM
