By Burnett Munthali
Likoma District is set to receive a major boost in sports development, with the district council preparing to use a new K50 million government allocation alongside a newly oriented Sports Committee to identify talent and expand sporting opportunities across the island district.
The council says it has started strengthening the management of sports by orienting the newly elected Sports Committee, with the initiative aimed at improving coordination, developing local talent and expanding opportunities for communities through sporting activities.
The orientation was conducted in Likoma on Friday, with the council focusing on helping committee members understand their responsibilities and develop the skills needed to effectively manage sports programmes.
Director of Education and Sports for Likoma, Zimulange Mhango, said the orientation was aimed at ensuring that the new committee understands its mandate and play an effective role in advancing sports across the district.
Sandra Ngwale
Mhango said improved coordination will help sporting activities deliver wider benefits to communities while creating opportunities for young people to develop their talents.
He urged committee members to apply the knowledge gained during the orientation and work collectively to strengthen sporting activities throughout Likoma.
According to Mhango, sports can play a role beyond competition by identifying and nurturing talent, increasing community participation and creating opportunities that can contribute to household livelihoods.
The council official also disclosed that the government has allocated K50 million to Likoma District Council for sports through the Reformed Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
He said the funding, which is expected to support sports development over the next five years,will provide additional resources for improving sporting activities in the district.
The allocation comes as the newly oriented committee assumes responsibility for helping coordinate sports development and identifying areas where available resources could have the greatest impact.
Vice Chairperson of the Sports Committee, Sandra Ngwale, welcomed the orientation, saying it gave members a clearer understanding of their responsibilities.
Ngwale said the committee also gained knowledge on how to mobilise resources and implement sporting activities effectively.
She said the training will help members approach their responsibilities with greater understanding as they work to promote sports across Likoma.
