Athletics Association of Malawi in the dark over Pretoria cross-country
Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) has disclosed that it is in the dark over the forthcoming Southern Africa cross-country championship expected to be hosted in Pretoria, South Africa on February 25.
AAM president Godfrey Phiri said with less than three weeks to the regional competition the association had not been communicated to on the finer details of the race and it is difficult for them to plan.
“We are still waiting for official information from the organisers of the event for us to know whether it will take place or not,” Phiri said.
“This has made it difficult for us to call athletes for camping.”
The AAM boss disclosed after the national cross country held last month at Njamba Freedom Park in Blantyre that it would send 18 athletes to the race.
The association is will need money in the region of K3 million to enable the team travel by road to Pretoria.
But an athletics official said it would still be difficult for the association to shoulder the expenses for an 18-member team to South Africa for the championship.
“I don’t think the association can manage to send 18 athletes when you consider payment of their allowances,” said the official.
He said the association should also consider what they could achieve with a bloated number of the athletes.
“We should also look at how many athletes can really do well at such a competition. Most of our athletes who triumphed at the national championship cannot withstand the pressure.”
