A wave of youthful energy and raw talent swept through Kamuzu Stadium as Season 5 of the Malawi Youth Games came to a thrilling close. From the far reaches of Chilumba in Karonga to the southern tip at Muloza Border in Mulanje, over 1,000 young athletes converged to compete, inspire, and shape the future of Malawian sport.
The final day was electric, highlighted by fiercely contested football matches. In the Under-15 girls’ final, North East Education Division (NEED) edged past South West Education Division (SWED) with a narrow 1-0 victory. In the boys’ category, SWED triumphed 2-0 over South East Education Division (SEED), while SWED also clinched the Under-17 boys’ title in a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout against North West Education Division (NWED) after a 1-1 draw.
Across disciplines, champions emerged: Volleyball went to NEED, Netball (both U15 and U17) and Basketball to SWED, while CWED claimed titles in Chess and Handball. Athletics honours went to CEED. The event wasn’t just about scores, it was about scouting future stars.
Malawi National Council of Sports representative Hellen Tasosa Mpinganjira praised the initiative, noting the government’s K250 million investment has already begun bearing fruit. “The athletes we see today are the ones who will soon represent Malawi on the continental stage,” she said. “This is how we rebuild our national teams.”
Echoing her sentiments, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya emphasised the Games’ strategic importance in grassroots football development. “We can’t transform Malawian football without investing in the youth. These games help us build a proper pathway, from U15 to U20, to create continuity and depth in our national teams,” Haiya said.
MASSA President Blackson Malamula lauded the talent on display and confirmed over 1,000 athletes participated in this year’s edition, up from previous years. “We’re working closely with sports associations to ensure these athletes are nurtured and transitioned into national structures,” he said.
The curtain may have fallen on Season 5, but for Malawi’s young athletes, the journey is just beginning. With clear pathways, committed leadership, and renewed investment, the country is not just building champions, it’s building a sporting legacy.
By Erik Chiputula
