Sports and Games

Malawian woman in world Olympics body

By Mphatso Malidadi Posted: 22 Jan, 2025 | Updated at: 22 Jan, 2025 2 Source: Times of Malawi 0
Malawian woman in world Olympics body
Jappie Mhango

Malawi Olympic Committee (Moc) Director Naomi China­tu has been selected into the Working Group for the Nation­al Olympic Committees (NOC) Qualification System Review Project ahead of the Los Ange­les 2028 Summer Olympics.

Chinatu is the only African in the group of eight officials.

The Association of National Olympic Committees (Anoc) has set up the working group to come up with recommendations in regard to athletes who quali­fy for Olympics in solidarity.

A letter dated January 20 2025 indicates that Chinatu is expected to help develop suit­able qualification systems for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

“I hope you have had a great start to 2025. I am delighted to inform you that you have been selected to join the Working Group for the NOC Qualifica­tion System Review Project. This project has received a lot of interest from NOCs, with over 130 responses submitted.

“This collaborative ef­fort aims to bring the NOC perspective forward when developing the Los Ange­les 2028 Olympic Games Qualification Systems. We have already held an initial meeting with the IOC Sports Department to provide them with the feedback collected on the Qualification System Prin­ciples. Your expertise and insights will be critical as we move forward with the next phase,” reads a letter which has been signed by Anoc Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg.

In the letter, Lindberg said the Working Groups have been organised by sport groups, with each group tasked to analyse and provide detailed feed­back on Qualification Sys­tems.

Chinatu welcomed the appointment.

“I am humbled and did not see it coming. It is my New Year present and I am interested in learning and sharing experiences. I believe my country will benefit greatly. Congratu­lations to Moc in particular and Malawi in general,” Chinatu said.

Moc President Jappie Mhango lauded Chinatu’s appointment.

“We, as an organisation, are very delighted that one of us has been given such an honour and recognition. Such things do not come by accident but through hard work. The honour is not for her alone but the country as a whole. The best we can do is to con­gratulate her and wish her well,” Mhango said.