Tereza Master, Harry Sichali win Ku Chawe race: Sunbird spoils athletes with cash

Tereza Master and Harry Sichali are this year’s 21-kilometre Ku Chawe race overall winners as sponsors Sun Sunbird Tourism Limited spoiled athletes with money.

The Mulanje based Master overcame several other female athletes to claim the top prize having finished the race in 1hour, 20 minutes and 56 seconds setting a new record in the competition’s history by a female athlete.

Sichali who last year finished on 10th position set a new record for the competition having finished the 21-kilometre race in 1hour, 7minutes and 46 seconds beating last year’s record set by Stuart Banda who finished the race after 1hour and 10 minutes. Both Master and Sichali received K300 hundred thousand plus 2nights accommodation on full board for 2 at any Sunbird hotel.

Eliya Kanyenda who raced in 1 hour, 8minutes and 25 seconds came second to Sichali in the males category while Moses Nyirenda came third having finished the race 9 seconds after Nyirenda. Nalise Chirwa and Cecilia Mhango finished second and third respectively to Master in the female category.

Kanyenda and Chirwa went home K200 hundred thousand richer home each plus 2nights accommodation on full board for 2 at any sunbird hotels while Nyirenda and Mhango got one night accommodation plus K100 hundred thousand each for finishing third.

Sunbird also splashed out money to veteran athletes in both categories apart from giving prizes to top ten athletes in the 2 categories. In addition, the company also gave  a Chitipa based Austin Sukali who has intellectual disability K100 hundred thousand plus one night accommodation for taking part in the competition.

Speaking after the prize presentation ceremony, Group Sales Manager for Sunbird Tourism Limited Titania Katenga Kaunda said the competition is part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.

“We are honoured and pleased for the second year running Sunbird Ku Chawe race having revived it last year after a long break. This year’s race has brought lots of exciting surprises to the athletes, especially that we have increased our sponsorship for the event and we hope to make this an annual event,” said Kaunda.

In his remarks, Deputy Director for Sports in the Ministry of Sports and culture Justice Msopera said the race provides platform through which talent is scouted while established athletes grow confident in their abilities.

“If they can run 21km uphill marathon, then they are likely to run a longer course too. We strongly believe that through this sponsorship, Sunbird as a good corporate citizen is contributing towards the growth of athletics in the country,” said Msopera.

This year’s Sun bird Ku Chawe race registered 150 athletes and 50 veterans.

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