After three days of fierce competition, the fourth edition of the Malawi Youth Games has successfully wrapped up in Mzuzu.
The event brought together 920 athletes from seven educational divisions, all vying for national honors across a range of sports, including football, basketball, volleyball, chess, athletics, netball, and para-athletics.
During the closing ceremony, Hewet Wiseman Mkandawire, Chairperson for Youth and Sports at Mzuzu City Council, expressed the city’s pride in hosting the tournament for the first time.
“Hosting this tournament during the holiday season provides our youth with constructive activities, keeping them engaged in sports rather than potentially harmful behaviours. Although we faced some losses, we’ve gained invaluable experience, and we’re determined to perform better in future tournaments,” Mkandawire stated.
Malawi School Sports Association (MASSA) President, Blackson Malamula, praised the Malawi government and the Malawi National Council of Sports for their financial support of the games.
“This fourth season has showcased an impressive array of talent, far exceeding the previous three editions in terms of competition and skill level. However, while the government’s financial backing is significant, it’s clear that additional support from other stakeholders is necessary to sustain and grow these games, which are vital for the development of sports in Malawi,” Malamula remarked.
The North East Education Division emerged as the overall champions, narrowly defeating the Central West Education Division. Both divisions won two trophies, but North East secured the top spot by accumulating more points in athletics.
The Central West Education Division triumphed in chess and primary school netball, while the North East Education Division claimed victory in volleyball and athletics. Other winners included the Shire Highlands Education Division in primary school football, the Central East Education Division in basketball, the South East Education Division, who successfully defended their title in secondary school football, and the South West Education Division, who were crowned champions in secondary school netball.
This year’s edition saw impressive participation, with 9,820 schools—2,800 primary and 7,020 secondary—registering for the games, involving a total of 1,145,220 learners.
Launched in 2021 by the Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) and managed by MASSA, the Malawi Youth Games aim to nurture and identify sporting talent in public and private schools across the nation.
Additionally, the fourth edition served as a selection process for the team that will represent Malawi at the African Union Sports Council Region 5 under-20 Youth Games.