SPORTSMEN AND WOMEN BATTLE FOR GOLD IN BOTSWANA
After a 2-year break due to Covid-19, sportsmen and women from the University of Malawi finally had the opportunity to once again participate in the annual SAUSSA (Southern African Universities Staff Sports Association) games. They were part of a 79-member group that travelled to Botswana in December last year to participate in the annual SAUSSA games. These members went under the umbrella of PUSSAM (Public Universities Staff Sports Association of Malawi).
The 21st Edition of the SAUSSA games was held at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) from 4th to 9th December, 2022. The aim of the gathering was for member universities to participate in recreational sports, arts and cultural activities. The event is held on a rotational basis every year. The sporting codes for this edition included football, volleyball, netball, pool, darts, walking race, athletics, chess and table tennis among others.
This year, the PUSSAM darts team performed very well, coming first place and thus claiming the gold medal. Malawi’s team also attained the gold medal in table tennis. In netball, PUSSAM came third, claiming the bronze medal. In athletics, PUSSAM athletes managed to get one bronze medal and one silver medal.
During the cultural night, which is normally held on the Thursday of the week of the games, the PUSSAM team dressed in traditional wear bearing the Malawian flag colours. They also used the opportunity to share Malawian foodstuffs with their fellow sportsmen and women from other countries, and also sampled some food and drink from the other regions.
According to Mrs. Esther Chirwa, General Secretary of UMSSA, members always look forward to meeting with athletes from other countries. “The SAUSSA games are more about social and interaction, rather than being a purely competitive event. People forge relationships with athletes from other countries, and get the chance to showcase some of their own cultural activities,” she said. She thanked UNIMA management, as well as the Political and Administrative Studies Department, for supporting the sportsmen and women financially.
The organisation has already began preparing for the 2023 games, which will be held at North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa. The exact dates will be announced soon.
