International Hockey Federation : Malawi

What was the target group?
The main target groups were youngsters from age 21 and under and the Marathon was organized in different age categories to ensure safety and also to give the players at different age levels the opportunity to shine. The youngest group was the under 10s and we enjoyed a turn-out of about 72 boys and girls in this category, mainly from primary schools.

The second group was the under 14s which attracted around 156 boys and girls from both secondary and primary schools and the third group – the under 21s – also attracted around 156 boys and girls from various local secondary schools.

The final and foremost category to welcome and receive the youngsters into the world of hockey was the “clubs category” and it was wonderful to witness the involvement of approximately 156 men and women from different clubs and college teams.

The event also attracted about 150 officials, including team officials, umpires, judges, guests and members of the organizing committee. We were also blessed with the presence of F. Massa (Malawi Olympic Council - MOC President), Mr Kanjawara (MOC vice president), H. Mpinganjira (MOC Secretary), T. Odeyeni (ADRA country director), T. Bonyongwa (BLM AIDS Councilor), Tochi Gill (HAM President) and other members of the HAM committees.

How many people took part?
We estimate the total number of participants including spectators at the event to have been around 940 – all in all this was a great show of support for Malawi hockey.

What was the aim of the event?

To sensitize youth about AIDS in line with Malawi’s national theme for this year’s Global Youth Marathon “Hockey Youth Against AIDS”.
To expose the youth to hockey at a higher level and at the same time give them a chance to play against other teams in their age ranges.
To give the message to people infected or affected by HIV/AIDS that they are welcome whole-heartedly to participate in hockey.

Result of the event?
I am glad to say on behalf of the organizing committee that this year’s marathon was a huge success as we had sponsorship from ADRA and Banja La Mtsogolo and among other things they provided the audience with councilors who, at certain times, sensitized the participants and spectators on issues regarding AIDS prevention. Their messages were:

Youngsters should abstain from premarital sex which is the major mode through which AIDS is spread.
Youngsters should maintain a good social distance from friends of the opposite sex.
Youngsters should also indulge themselves in extra curricular activities like sports and reading books (not pornographic material) for if they do this they will not have time to indulge in activities that can cause them to contract HIV.

Follow-up of the event?
We hope to identify the most vulnerable groups of people in the country (such as people with disabilities) and try to get them involved in the sport. We would also like to get the message to the general public that hockey is a sport for everyone and not only for the rich as most locals perceive it to be. We hope that when the hockey stadium which the Association is trying to construct comes to life that it will be a centrepiece in ensuring the future of hockey in our country.

TV and media coverage
The event received much support from media agencies. The local radio stations did not want to miss out on the fun and attended the event and broadcast it on radio stations. Even the newspapers wanted a piece of it all and took no time in posting articles on the Marathon. The local radio stations included MIJ Fm, Zodiac, Power 101 FM, 102.5 Capital Radio, MBC Radio1 & 2 and the newspaper agencies included the country’s most loved press like ‘The Nation’ and ‘Malawi News’