Northern Region PIS champs promise fireworks in the finals
Chinyolo Sisters Football Team who are the first women’s football club from Rumphi District to be regional champions, have promised fireworks in the national finals in order to be the 2012 champions of the Presidential Initiative for Sports (PIS).
On their way to regional finals, the deadly sisters outclassed 10 teams in Rumphi District. Ekwendeni sisters of Mzimba were the last victims on Saturday when they suffered a 4:2 defeat in post- match penalties in the hands of Chinyolo Sisters who went away with K300, 000.00 and a trophy.
Parading their trophy at Rumphi Boma and finally presenting it at the district commissioner’s offices on Tuesday, the team’s coach, Smith Chibaka, vowed to beat any team that would stand in their way to be the 2012 national champions.
Chibaka said though his team’s achievement was hard earned due to little resources, he was confident the girls would still emerge victorious from the national finals.
“We had to do peace work to get money for the tournament and our team does not have reliable boots. However, the DC has assured us that he will support us to have enough resources so that we win the tournament. ” said the jovial Chibaka.
The District Commissioner, Bester Mandele, hailed Chinyolo Sisters Football Club for the big achievement, saying it was not easy to register such an achievement with meagre resources.
Mandele said government’s introduction of the PIS about three years ago has become a source of sports talent for national teams, as such, he pledged material and financial assistance for the women’s football team before they leave for the national finals.
Commenting on the achievement, General Secretary for the Football Association of Malawi (FAM)- Rumphi Chapter, Vikwiza Nyirenda, said the triumph of Chinyolo was a clear indication that women football was improving in the district and urged stakeholders to give support towards the improvement of women football in the country.
Nyirenda hailed Chinyolo Sisters Football Club for putting up a brave fight to be regional champions despite lacking sports equipment, which he said did not affect their performance in any way.
Upon emerging regional winners, Chinyolo Sisters Football Club will now compete at the 2012 PIS national finals with other winning women football teams from the Central, South and Eastern regions.
