The ongoing Malawi Youth Games have already begun to reveal exceptional sporting talent that could strengthen the nation’s representation in upcoming regional competitions, including the Junior COSAFA Tournament and the Region 5 Games.
Speaking on day three of the games in Blantyre, Malawi Schools Sports Association (MASSA) President Blackson Malamula expressed his satisfaction with the progress and quality of competition.
“We started on Wednesday, and so far, everything has gone smoothly,” Malamula said. “These are the games we have eagerly anticipated, and we’re excited to see them come to life. We’ve witnessed incredible talent, particularly in sports where Malawi has previously lacked strong representation, such as basketball, volleyball, handball, and athletics.”
Malamula also noted the historic introduction of handball into the games for the first time, calling it a positive step forward for the diversification of youth sports development in the country.
“This is the first time handball has been included, and it’s already showing great promise. Overall, we are highly impressed with the level of talent displayed across all disciplines,” he added. “Some of the athletes identified here will be selected for the junior Flames camp for the COSAFA Tournament next week, while others will be invited to the Region 5 Games training camp set to begin in September.”
Malamula commended the collaboration between MASSA and national sports associations, including the Netball Association of Malawi and the Football Association of Malawi, which have shown strong support since the event began.
“We are grateful for the partnerships. These associations have not only offered technical expertise but also material support. This is exactly the kind of cooperation we need to develop sports in Malawi. Alone we can do something, but together, we can achieve far more.”
Echoing these sentiments, Malawi National Council of Sports Spokesperson Edgar Ntulumbwa praised the games for their role in unearthing future stars.
“We’re now three days into the Malawi Youth Games, and it’s been an exciting experience,” Ntulumbwa said. “We’re thrilled with the level of competition and the talent we’ve seen, particularly in basketball, volleyball, netball, and athletics. This aligns perfectly with our mission, to identify and nurture young talent at an early stage.”
Looking ahead to the Region 5 Games scheduled for December 2026 in Mozambique, Ntulumbwa expressed confidence in Malawi’s prospects.
“With the quality of athletes we’ve seen here, we are optimistic about our performance next year,” he said. “At the last edition in Namibia, we won seven gold, thirteen silver, and thirteen bronze medals. Our goal is to surpass that, and with proper preparation and continued support, we believe we can.”
The Malawi Youth Games continue to serve as a vital platform for scouting and developing future athletes who will represent the nation on the continental stage.
