Young people in Blantyre are being encouraged to use taekwondo to build discipline, respect and confidence beyond the skills needed to defend themselves.
The message was delivered during an awareness campaign organised by the Taekwondo Association of Malawi (TAM) at Chichiri Shopping Mall in Blantyre.
TAM president Lieutenant Colonel Louis Msukwa said the sport can help shape young people’s character and their behaviour in society.
“The main purpose of these games is to make the community aware that Taekwondo is not just a combat sport, but a discipline that builds respect and character,” he said.
Msukwa said learning to respect instructors can also teach young people to respect their parents, elders and other members of society.
He urged parents and guardians to overcome negative perceptions about taekwondo and encourage their children to take part in the sport.
The campaign brought together six teams from across the country, with representatives from Mzuzu, Lilongwe and Zomba, alongside three teams from Blantyre.
Athletes with disabilities also participated, highlighting the sport’s focus on inclusivity.
For 23-year-old Siphiwe Mwamulima, a first-year student at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), taekwondo has also become a way of managing stress.
“I chose this sport to be fit and disciplined. I encourage others to come and join us. The sport really helps relieve stress,” she said.
The athletes showcased kicks, patterns, sparring and self-defence techniques during the campaign, drawing crowds at the shopping complex.
