The second training camp in preparation for the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games, scheduled to take place in Namibia in July 2025, has commenced at the Henry Henderson School of Excellence (HHS) in Blantyre.
The camp, which has brought together over 300 athletes, began yesterday and will run until January 2, 2025.
During the opening ceremony at the HHS hall, the Malawi National Council of Sports Director of Sports and Recreation, Mrs. Ivy Chinagwa Kondowe, briefed the athletes on camp conduct. Representatives from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of integrity and fairness in sports.
Akim Mkolongo, the desk officer for the Institution Integrity Committee (IIC) of the Malawi National Council of Sports, urged athletes to uphold the principles of fair play by avoiding corrupt practices. He cautioned against bribing officials for undue advantages and encouraged athletes to report any suspected cases of corruption to the authorities.
The camp features athletes competing in 14 sporting disciplines: Table Tennis, Boxing, Netball, Lawn Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball, Karate, E-sports, Judo, Football, Special Olympics, Swimming, Athletics and Para-athletics (Visually Impaired)
Training sessions are being conducted at various facilities in Blantyre, including Kamuzu Stadium, Blantyre Youth Centre (BYC), Mpira Stadium, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHES), and Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS).
This is the second of three planned training camps. The first camp was held in August 2024, while the third and final camp is scheduled for April 2025.