President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has urged Malawi’s youth athletes to believe in themselves and seize the opportunity to shine at the upcoming 11th African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games in Windhoek, Namibia.
Speaking at a send-off ceremony held on Monday at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, President Chakwera encouraged the 165 athletes to approach the competition with determination and inner strength.
“Victory is not about physical size or appearance—it’s about courage, spirit, and belief in oneself,” he said, adding that his government remains committed to supporting all sporting disciplines as a key pillar of national development.
Chakwera emphasized that sports development has been prioritized under the Human Capital Development pillar in the Malawi 2063 agenda to ensure that it receives the same recognition and support as other sectors.
Board Chairperson of the Malawi National Sports Council, Dr. Sunduzwayo Madise, commended the government for its unwavering support toward sports development. He encouraged the athletes to perform like “dynamites ready to explode” and make the country proud.
Speaking on behalf of the team, athlete Pempho Datchi pledged to compete with passion, discipline, and patriotism to raise the Malawi flag high.
The AUSC Region 5 Youth Games—held under the theme “Own Your Moment”—are scheduled to take place from July 4 to 13 in Windhoek, Namibia. Malawi’s contingent will participate in disciplines such as basketball, judo, swimming, football, volleyball, e-sports, and more.
