Tabitha Chawinga receives RASA Award at Bingu National Stadium

Minister of Youth and Sports, Uchizi Mkandawire has honoured Malawi’s football star, Tabitha Chawinga with the prestigious Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA) accolade during a special ceremony held at the Bingu National Stadium (BNS).

Speaking during the award presentation on Thrusday, Mkandawire described the accolade as a recognition of Malawi’s sports, saying Malawi’s sports is moving in the right direction.

“We have never had a chance of getting awards at the RASA, but this year we managed to get one and that was because of Tabitha Chawinga,” he said.

The minister said the government is committed to supporting sports initiatives, which have been included in the country’s national budget, especially sports disciplines that have been struggling for some time.

Tabitha Chawinga who was not available during the presentation ceremony this year in Zimbabwe, was represented by the Minister of Youth and Sports and was available today to receive the award.

During the ceremony at BNS, Chawinga was overjoyed at officially being decorated with the prestigious award and pleaded with upcoming young players to carry the Malawian flag and represent the nation with great prowess.

“I am very thankful to the President of Malawi and the Sports Council because of the effort they made to make this come home. This award is not just for me, it’s for the whole country of Malawi and to all my fans out there,” said Chawinga.

Malawi National Council of Sports Board Chairperson, Sunduzwayo Madise said the moment should serve as a motivation and encouragement to all young athletes across the country.

“This should motivate the youths that will be taking part in this year’s 11th African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games to take place in Windhoek, Namibia. Tabitha Chawinga’s reputation has greatly influenced many people and has encouraged many young people,” Madise said.

Madise added that the Ministry of Sports would, for the first time in history, send 165 athletes to the AUSC.

“I believe that awards like these are very encouraging and I believe that this year we are going to come back home with a great number of medals. But besides the medals, these games are created so that the youths should also network and learn from each other,” said Madise.