Queens Baton in Malawi: Veep Kachali leads welcoming show

The Queens Baton Relay Race on Friday, January 24, 2014 reached Malawi after passing through 13 of the 71 destinations it is expected to cover ahead of the 20th Commonwealth Games scheduled for Glasgow, Scotland from July 23, 2014.

Welcoming the Baton at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe was Malawi’s Vice President Khumbo Hastings Kachali, who received it from British High Commissioner to Malawi Michael Nevin before presenting it to an athlete for a symbolic relay.

Addressing the gathering, which included envoys from other Commonwealth countries, sports officials and representatives from international organizations, Kachali said the coming of the Queens Baton had accorded local communities an opportunity to celebrate the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Gule Wankulu receives the Baton, Pic Leonard Sharra
Gule Wankulu receives the Baton, Pic Leonard Sharra

“We are extremely delighted to welcome the Queens Baton and its delegation to Malawi. Not all of us will be part of the delegation that will travel to the Commonwealth Games and the coming of the Baton has accorded the local communities an opportunity to celebrate the 2014 Commonwealth Games,” said Kachali.

The Vice President paid tribute to the 2014 Commonwealth Games’ host country for the support it was rendering to Malawi ahead of the Games.

Scottish Minister of External Affairs and International Development Humza Yousaf, who received the Baton from its bearers and the British Envoy hailed the local organising committee for organizing a warm hearted welcome for the Baton.

Taking her turn, vice president for the Malawi Olympic Committee (Moc), Flora Mwandira hailed the Malawi government through Sports Ministry and other stakeholders for the supported rendered to the national Olympic Committee ahead of the event.

She urged the corporate world and other stakeholders to assist her body in preparing local athletes for the Games.

From the stadium the baton was carried by athletes to Civic Centre, where it was received by Lilongwe City Council Chief Executive Richard Hara.

The Baton, which arrived from Sechelles is expected to be relayed across several townships in the city tomorrow, January 25 before heading to its next destination in neighbouring Zambia.

High Powered! Dignitories line up to welcome the Vice President, Pic Leonard Sharra
High Powered! Dignitories line up to welcome the Vice President, Pic Leonard Sharra
British diplomat Michael Nevin presents the Baton to Kachali, Pic Leonard Sharra
British diplomat Michael Nevin presents the Baton to Kachali, Pic Leonard Sharra
Physically challenged girl Evenly Kujingo moves with the Baton, Pic Leonard Sharra.
Physically challenged girl Evenly Kujingo moves with the Baton, Pic Leonard Sharra.
Kachali greets Scottish Minister Humza Yousaf, Pic Leonard Sharra
Kachali greets Scottish Minister Humza Yousaf, Pic Leonard Sharra

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