Benedicto Makumba set up an athletic club for young athletes in Zomba in 2019 with his own funding. The successful young athletes need funding to compete.

He wants to raise funds through sponsorship running the Mt Mulanje Porters Race on 9th July 2022.

Please sponsor him.

Benedicto writes:

My wife and I have entered the Mt Mulanje Porters Race on the 9th July 2022. The race is a very challenging 24 km trail up and down Mt Mulanje, Malawi, the highest mountain in South and Central Africa. We want to raise funding for the young Malawians in the athletics club, Zomba Development Academy (ZAA), that I set up in 2019.

Its members are between 10 and 20 years of age. We want them to be able to have the opportunity to compete nationally and internationally as I did. I qualified as a Coach in 2007 and currently work as a Corporal in the Malawi Army.

I want other young Malawians to achieve the same as I have in their lifetime. That’s why I am asking for support from well-wishers to assist the ZAA so that some of these 40 talented and motivated athletes will be able to compete nationally and internationally. Others will benefit from participation in training and club support.

INCREASING SUCCESS OF ATHLETES - A number of the young athletes, as you can see in the cover photo, have already become successful in local and national competitions but as they are unable to pay travel and accommodation costs for these competitions the funding of the ZAA is crucial. That is why it is vital to have funding for Club . The athletes enthusiasm and unexpected success since I started the club is our motivation to continue but is also a challenge to raise enough funds for it to continue.

Thank you for your sponsorship.

Joyce writes:

BENEDICTO’s commitment to these young athletes is inspirational. The athletes are talented.

This is your chance to be part of it.

The developing success of ZAA athletes is evident from the fact that last year 3 ZAA athletes represented Malawi at the Africa Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games in Lesotho where 10 African countries compete and this year 13 have been chosen to prepare for the AUSC Region5 Youth Games taking place in Lilongwe Malawi this December. It’s an important year for athletics in Malawi.

Successful athletes need to start young and make their way through competitions. Help this to happen for young Malawians.

Making a Difference beyond the athletes: One of the three athletes, representing Malawi last year at the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games was able to buy a needed bag of maize for her family with part of her prize money. She is a talented young athlete.

The money raised through this fundraising will be transferred to the Zomba Athletic Academy’s Bank Account in Malawi. The Zomba Athletic Academy(ZAA) is affiliated to the Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) and is a non-profit organisation.

The Academy reports regularly to me and other contacts I have in Zomba on the training sessions held locally and nationally, the performance of the athletes in competitions and the income and expenditure.

Personal donations for the ZAA to Joyce McMullan 39 Knockancor Drive PORTSTEWART BT55 7SP or for more information email: joyce.mcmullan@tiscali.co.uk Cheques payable to Joyce McMullan

Joy at receiving some donated kit