By Vincent Gunde
PLAN Malawi says Sports for Protection (S4P) is the use of sport and physical activity to strengthen predominantly young people’s protective environments and mitigate their risk factors for abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence by achieving specific protection outcomes.
The organization said research has shown that children participating in sports improve their self-esteem, cognitive abilities, social interaction and self-expression saying evidence suggests that sporting activities are making a difference in the lives of children and adolescents by improving their psychological and social well-being.
It said improved psychosocial well-being contributes to Social Development Goals (SDG) 3 Good health and well-being, SDG 5 Gender Equality and SDG 10 Reduced inequalities saying lack of protection knowledge, livelihood activities, depressed conditions, lack of self-awareness contribute to protection issues.
Presenting the project to the District executive committee (Dec) in Dowa, PLAN Malawi’s Project Manager Lawrence Maulidi, said Sports for Protection (S4P) project will be Implemented for a period of 36 months.
Maulidi said Dzaleka Refugee Camp hosts 58, 639 refugees and asylum seekers as of June, 2025 saying the project is targeting 58 refugees and asylum seekers and host community members aged 10 to 24 divided into age specific groups.
He said Sports for Protection (S4P) project will involve the children participating in games such as chess, netball, volley ball, tennis, basketball, and football saying the project will train coaches and facilitators, and building resilience and personal development among participants.
The manager said the project will also train relevant stakeholders on sports for protection programming and advocating together with partners in promoting sports as a powerful tool in addressing various challenges.
“The project will advocate for the role of sports in enhancing the lives of displaced persons in fostering resilience, social cohesion, and psychological well-being among vulnerable populations,” said Maulidi.
However, Maulidi said the project is meeting challenges in the course of implementation such as insufficient funding for sports and other recreational activities, community –led initiatives are poorly managed and there are inadequate trained facilitators, among others.
In her remarks, Dowa District Council’s Director of Planning and Development Mercy Mpakule, called on partners in the district to support the program for it to be implemented in the interest of both refugees and asylum seekers and the host community members
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