Malawi women’s football icon Tabitha Chawinga reclaimed the sports personality of the year award during the annual Malawi Sport Awards at Sunbird Nkopola Lodge in Mangochi District, last night.
This was the first time for the awards to be held in Mangochi after the last five events were held in Lilongwe.
It was definitely Tabitha’s night as she claimed a double after overpowering her young sister Temwa to be voted the best sportswoman of the year.
Tabitha, in a video clip which aired at the prestigious event, the Olympique Lyonnais forward hailed the support she got.
“I do not take that support for granted,” Tabitha said.
Bodybuilder Zacheus Phiri won the best sportsman of the year accolade, beating other nominees Rodgers Zako (darts) and Samil Mohammad Sohail (cricket).
In the national team of the year section, Malawi Women’s Under-19 Cricket Team emerged the best ahead of Malawi Under-21 National Netball.
Swimmer Tasunje Mkamvea was voted the best junior male sportsperson of the year beating Alipo Namangale (Chess) and Suhail Zahid Vayani (Cricket).
Samatha Mwamondwe was named best junior female sportsperson of the year after outclassing Eneless Fabiano (football) and Eva Kabwere (cricket).
In the best sportsman of the year with disability, Moses Misoya (para-athlete) was voted the best ahead of Mphatso Saukile (para-athlete) and Victor Chikuse (Special Olympics) whereas Taonera Banda won the women’s section, outwitting Estere Nagoli (para-athlete) and Nancy Verani (Special Olympics).
In the best executed sport development programme of the year, Chess in Schools emerged the best ahead of junior golf and Mpira Mmudzi Mwathu.
In the sports journalist of the year, Times Group Sport Editor Mphatso Malidadi was named the best ahead of workmate Peter Fote and Solomon Manda of the Nation.
In the electronic category, sports Journalist of the Year (electronic) Raymond Siyaya of Chanco Community Radio was named the best ahead of Bright Kanyama of Zodiak Broadcasting Corporation and TV Islam’s Yasin Limu.
Netball Association of Malawi President Vitumbiko Mwandemange-Gubuduza was named best sports administrator of the year beating Joseph Kawelama (Karate) and Joe Zangazanga (Darts).
Malawi Cricket Union was named the best association of the year, overcoming Chess Association of Malawi and Netball Association of Malawi (Nam).
Malawi Under-19 Women’s Cricket Team captain Gershom Masimba Mtambalika clinched the best coach accolade, defeating Peter Mponda (football) and Christina Mkwanda (netball).
Sports Minister Uchizi Mkandawire, who was the guest of honour at the event, commended Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) for organising a colourful event in a professional manner.
“We need to recognise athletes for their feat to encourage them to perform better in other competitions,” Mkandawire said.
MNCS Chief Executive Officer Henry Kamata hailed companies and organisations who supported the 6th edition of Malawi Sport Awards.
The companies included Premier Bet, Times Group, Escom, NBS Bank, Amaryllis Hotel, Neef, Sunbird and Malawi Housing Corporation among others.
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