Malawi Ministry of Education Promotes Sports in Schools for Future Success

Malawi-The Malawi School Sports Association (MASSA) believes that the country might become a sporting nation in the next 5 or 10 years if it follows the Ministry of Education's advice to all schools to take sports seriously, writes Romeo Umali.

MASSA President Blackson Malamula made the revelations saying there will also be easy identification of talent since most School Head Teachers were reluctant to let pupils engage in Sports.

"We are very happy that the ministry has come to our rescue. The coming in of this circular will simplify our job because the grassroots in schools," says Malamula before adding "In April, we will have the Malawi Games and the coming in of this circular will give us a platform to spot talent in all schools".

Malawi Rugby Union (MARU) Talent Development Officer, Jack Mphande, welcomed the idea while saying he hopes there will be proper strategies to maintain this initiative.

Mphande added that this signifies the intent of the Ministry of Education to help rugby grow in the nation through learning institutions.

"When we talk about the development of any sport in the country, there is a need to involve the schools, so this gives Malawi Rugby a go-ahead in terms of its development.”

In a letter signed on February 24, 2023, the Secretary for Education told all headteachers of primary and secondary schools to at least indulge students in sporting activities once a week.

"The Ministry (of Education) has observed that there is a lack of sporting activities in some primary and secondary schools across the country and would like to encourage all head teachers to ensure that sports are given prominence," reads part of the letter, which was signed by the Secretary for Education, Chikondano Mussa.

Since the 1970s, Malawi was well known for sports like the discipline of Football, and most athletes were identified in Schools after showcasing exceptional talent like the way Flames’ and current Deputy Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Kinnah Phiri, was scouted.

With the new initiative, Malawi can expect a rise in sporting talent as schools take sports seriously.