Sport Minister Chiumia hails CNS for introducing 5-A-side football in Malawi

Corporate Networking Sports (CNS) has expressed satisfaction with the response from the corporate world during last Saturday’s CNS Soccer League launching tournament held at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.

A total of 12 teams mostly from the corporate world took part in the day long tournament, which saw Tourism Socials emerging champions after defeating TNM Mpamba in the final.

Summarising the event, which was graced by Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Grace ‘Obama’ Chiumia, chairman of CNS Francis Muleso said he was greatly impressed with the response from teams especially those from the corporate world.

“We had 16 registered teams for the tournament but four did not show up after paying everything. Being a start and considering there was big event (Sunbird Sand Music Festival) in Salima, we are happy with the response from teams more especially those from the corporate world.

“We also felt greatly honoured with the presence of the Minister of Sports and her encouraging remarks. Here presence alone showed she is really passionate about the development of sports in the country,” said Muleso.

With the positive response from teams and government, the CNS chairman declared his firm was here to stay.

“We will be having a similar launch in April next year in Blantyre and from there we will go to Mzuzu before spreading the sport to the rest of the districts,” he said.

Chiumia hailed CNS for introducing 5-A-Side football in the country, pledging government’s total support towards the development of the sport.

“This is a unique sport and be rest assured of government’s support in the development of this sport,” said the Minister, adding she would impress upon her fellow Members of Parliament to form teams for 5-A-Side soccer.

Coming to the tournament, Tourism Socials scooped the K200,000 prize and trophy after edging Mpamba Socials 4-3 in penalty shoot-outs.

The two teams tied at 1-all in regulation time and the first set of three penalty kicks did not separate the teams. It was during sudden death kicks that Tourism emerged victorious.

TNM had two teams in the tournament- Mpamba Socials and TNM Mtolo and both sides reached the quarterfinals with TNM Mtolo shown the exit by rivals Airtel Socials in the quarterfinals. TNM Mpamba avenged their brothers’ loss by defeating Airtel 5-2 in the semi-finals.

Other teams that participated included South African based Nyau Star, Central Region Socials, OIBM, Reserve Bank of Malawi, Malawi Housing, Malawi Investment Trade Centre and Standard Bank.

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