By Kondanani Chilimunthaka
President Lazarus Chakwera on Wednesday, 18th October, 2023 sent the newly crowned Hollywood-Bet COSAFA Women’s Football champions, the Scorchers over the moon when he gave each of the traveling squad a cool K1.5 million and a 35 by 25 metres plot in Lilongwe’s Area 45 as a token of thanks for their gallant fight in the tourney that earned them a gold medal in the Rainbow nation last weekend.
The message that came as a surprise through State House spokesperson, Anthony Kasunda soon after President Chakwera made his speech of appreciation to the scorchers during the lunch-on he organized for the team at Kamuzu Palace read; “It has pleased our President to honor everyone who was in the squad that traveled to South Africa for COSAFA women’s football tournament with K1.5 million. As this is not enough for the success, the President says, everyone will also receive a 35 by 25 metres plot in Lilongwe’s area 45, however the President is appealing for all well-wishers to come forward in appreciation for what our team has done”
In his speech President Chakwera congratulated the womens national team for putting lungs-out to make sure they brought the cup to the home soil.
“I am so happy to welcome and to host you the Scorchers here at Kamuzu Palace in your capacity as the 2023 COSAFA women champions, that is no mean achievement. It did not happen by luck.
And it is certainly not by luck that you snatched the crown from the grasp of the defending champions themselves with a 2-1 victory over Zambia with a magical strike from Asimenye Simwaka in the first half, and a winning strike from Sabina Thom in the injury time to deny the Copper Queens for another title” Said President Chakwera while happily congratulating the youthful national women’s football team.
However, President Chakwera told the gathering that the success in disorienting teams and snatching the crown has been achieved due to lifetime family support, ambition to succeed, hard work, discipline, good coaching, and timeless love of country, saying that was the whole reason he hosted them at the Palace on behalf of all Malawians.
Added President Chakwera; “It was only right that on behalf of all Malawians I should host you at Kamuzu Palace, this is the people’s house. Its your house to celebrate you and to thank you for making us all proud as you have done”
In his remarks, Minister of Youth and Sports, Uchizi Mkandawire described the win as memorable performance having won all the five games and bringing the tournament for the very first time in the history of Malawi football.
“This achievement depicts a lot of positive developments. Key to these developments are the following; Malawi has great talents which just need to be identified and nurtured, Women can equally help to develop the country if given opportunities and support, this is an example of an equal opportunities of both genders at its best. Your Excellency’s wise leadership and support towards the youth and sports sector is yielding the tangible results that Malawians expect, particularly in sports development” Said the Minister while assuring Malawians that under the leadership of President Chakwera, his Ministry will continue to support all sports discipline for more medals and trophies into the country.
On their part, Adelaide Migogo (Women’s football Chairperson) and Walter Nyamilandu (FAM President) commended President Chakwera for his encouragement, saying under his leadership football has achieved a lot in the country.
Malawi women’s national football team had to win all its five assignments to bring lad the trophy on the Malawi soil for first time ever.
