Scotland offers Malawi 47 air tickets for Commonwealth Games
Scotland has boosted Malawi’s Commonwealth Games participation next year with the announcement that it would provide 47 free return air tickets for the Glasgow Games.
Scotland Minister responsible for Commonwealth Games and Sport Genna Park broke the good news during a private meeting with Vice-President Khumbo Kachali, who is attending Commonwealth Heads of Meeting being held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
“We have very strong bilateral ties with Malawi and among some of the mutual interests from Scottish Government is to help Malawi with 47 return air tickets to enable the country’s participation during next year’s Commonwealth Games,” Park told a Malawi News Agency reporter.
She also said Scotland would train local coaches to equip the Malawi athletes with tactical expertise.
Scotland would also offer Malawi free camping service in the run up to the games.
“As we will be providing air tickets, there will also be a special arrangement to offer free camping services during the games as well as train local coaches from Malawi,” she said.
The Vice President Kachali said the offer would motivate the Malawi team to perform better at the games.
“I just want to thank the Scottish Government for their timely assistance rendered towards our team that will be participating in the Commonwealth Games,” Kachali said.
“In fact President Dr Joyce Banda had requested for the help when she visited the country and I was trying to make a follow-up to the issue. We have been assured that they will help us in so many areas especially the development of sports in the country,” said Kachali.
The development has sent a buzz of excitement among sports associations in the country saying that it will increase Malawi’s chances of sending more athletes at the games.
Lawn Tennis Association of Malawi coach Hackson Methiwa said it would boost the association’s chance of participating at the games.
Hockey Association of Malawi (Ham) has welcomed the development.
“This is good news for Malawi because it would help the country to send a bigger contingent,” said an official Duncan Gumbi.
Scotland and Malawi has a long historical bilateral ties dating back to 1800s after Scottish missionary Dr David Livingstone played a crucial role to fight slavery and introducing trade and education.
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