Mwawi thanks Malawians for support: Magnanimous in Athlete of the Year Award

Malawi netball  superstar plying her trade in New Zealand,  Mwawi Kumwenda has  been magnanimous  for  winning votes in the International World Games Association (IWGA) Athlete of the Year award,  saying she is “thrilled and delighted”  that Malawi has made a mark.

The 26-year-old  Malawi netball player who plays for Tactix of New Zealand got  landslide votes ahead of Russian dance couple, Dmitry Zharkov and Olga Kulikova, according to results  posted on IWGA website.

Among 18 nominees for the award, Mwawi was the only African.

The Malawi Queens shooter conceded there was “ terrific competition” for the award but thanked Malawians for their support.

Mwawi said she was moved by the campaign Malawians mounted for her success.

“ I want to thank all Malaiwans for having my back and honouring me with your votes,” she said.

The netball export  said she is  “deeply moved by the expression of love and determination” shown by Malawians.

“I am grateful, in a special way, to you the Facebook community, for so generously contributing your time and effort to campaign to all your friends and beyond. Liking posts, sharing posts, making comments with words of encouraging, and voting; all these are why we have amassed the thousands of votes we now have. Without your support, I could not have gone this far.

“Not only have you lifted me and Malawi higher, But all netball players and lovers out there too are, am sure, grateful. I look forward to finishing this race, with you all by my side,” said Mwawi.

Mwawi ‘s manager Hlupikile Chalamba also thanked Mwawi’s team in New Zealand for the support.

Malawi’s Sports and Culture minister Grace Chiumia and Netball Association of Malawi president Rose Chinunda  have since congrarulated Mwawi, saying she is a “deserved” winner.

“The award is a motivation to the girl child to pursue their dreams as Mwawi is a role model,” Chiumia said.