On Friday, 17th January 2025, 27 out of the 31 participants completed the Basic Athletics Coaching course held at the Dowa District Council.
The week-long program, which ran from January 13th to January 17th, 2025, was organized by the Malawi National Council of Sports with the aim of equipping participants with foundational skills in athletics, covering areas such as running, throwing, and techniques for track and field events.
The initiative aimed to strengthen athletics coaching expertise within the district and contribute to the growth of grassroots athletics. Participants included primary and secondary school teachers, police officers, individuals from Dzaleka Refugee Camp, community athletics club coaches, and para-athletics coaches.
The closing ceremony for the coaching course was attended by Mr. Christopher Kumikundi, Dowa’s Director of Education and Sports(DES), who represented the District Commissioner (DC) for Dowa, Mr. Stallich Mwambiwa. In his remarks, Mr. Kumikundi encouraged the newly trained coaches to actively identify and nurture outstanding athletic talent for potential national and international competitions. He also urged them to apply the knowledge gained during the course and work diligently to achieve tangible results.
Other notable guests included Mr. MacMillan Milazi, the District Education Sports Officer (DESO), and Mrs. Loveness Phiri, the District Sports Officer (DSO).
The coaching course was facilitated by Mr. John Mwathiwa and Mr. Golden Gunde, both certified Level 1 Coaches under the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). Their expertise ensured participants received professional and practical training throughout the program.
This initiative underscores the Malawi National Council of Sports’ (MNCS) commitment to fostering sports development across Malawi by empowering local coaches with the tools necessary to nurture athletic talent at the community level.