International Hockey Federation : Malawi

Program:
This was the biggest event ever for the hockey youth in Malawi. It was organized in all the regions of the country but the main event was held in the commercial city of Malawi (Blantyre). Before the event representatives from all participating teams were invited to a meeting where they were briefed of the activities that would take place on the day of the event.

This year, we did not have our own theme because the “Live the Dream” theme suited our hockey environment and youth programs. Hockey youth in Malawi are facing challenges like infrastructure (good playing fields and equipment), but they also have the dream of playing at the Olympic Games one day.

Another challenge that HAM is facing is the rapid growth of the sport. The demand to play hockey in schools, youth centers and community areas is huge. The nation has a dream to make hockey a sport for everyone everywhere, find sponsors for tournaments and events and also to construct national stadium.

It was a great hockey atmosphere on the 17th of May. Youths from across the region flocked to the venue of the event as early as 6 o’clock CAT. The first event of the day was “Dream Hoops”. The youth were divided into groups and were then asked to arrange the Olympic rings. It was discovered that most Malawian youth did not know how to arrange the Olympic rings... This shows the need to involve youth more in (watching) the Olympic Games.

After the Dream Hoops the next activity was the “Dream Pentathlon” event. However, due to lack of space and time, we did a triathlon including the following activities: Juggling, Flicking into the hoops and Dribble slalom. The juggling ‘ stay alive ‘ was interpreted to the youth to keep themselves busy with hockey rather than doing bad things should they want to succeed and live to their dreams.

Dream skills proved to be fun and exiting but at the same time challenging. It kept the youth busy and they were very focused while learning the skills. Part of the fun was brought by the parents who were around cheering to the children. In all the events the individual points and team were thoroughly recorded.

The event was spiced up with a Dream tournament. Hockey sixes was played to symbolize an Olympic tournament. It was played on an Olympic format in different age groups. To make the tournament more attractive for everybody the teams were allowed to substitute the whole team with the players on the bench.

During the tournament the teams that were on by were asked to submit the Live the Dream coloring- in pictures. The colored pictures were given to a team of judges who selected the best ones. The jury also selected the prize winners of the “Jumbled Hockey Words” and the “Find a Word Puzzle”, which all took place alongside the tournament.

During the event the participants to the Youth Challenge were put into groups of ten (5 boys &5 girls). Each group had to discuss issues that affect their day to day lives, what they dream to be in the future, what they think hockey in Malawi will be in the future and how they can assist to develop hockey.

Young leaders were involved in the organization and management of the event and therefore prepared for the future.

Aim of the event:

To encourage hockey youth to participate in the organization and to get involved in organizing hockey events.
To bring awareness to the youth on the progress of the development program.
To promote the Association and the interaction with youth.
To give participants an insight of the Olympic Games so that they build their dreams of playing at the Olympics.
To insinuate, motivate the youth to carry on participating in hockey and to plant the desire in them to play hockey at a high level.
To attract and expose potential sponsors to the spectators.

Outcomes of the event:

The youth realized through this event that winning is not the priority but the involvement, participation and fun should come first.
The dream to play at the Olympics has been generated.
An interest has been generated to the junior umpires; they have come forward to take the challenge.
The demand for more youth festivals has been generated.
Parents have developed an interest to get involved in hockey activities i.e., management, officiating and fundraising.

Follow up:
It has been discovered that a lot of interest has been generated and it is up to the Association (HAM) through its Committees to take up the challenge of introducing hockey in all areas, engaging the youth in the development of the sport.

The Association to hold leadership skills workshops for the youth on a regular basis.
Train technical officials and during these events to include a lot of the youth as they are the nursery.
Organize parent orientation work shops and Involve parents in fundraising activities, events management

Organized by:
Benjamin Chaura, Geoffrey Biya (Development Committee), Daniel Chitimbe (Youth Forum), Bright Munthali (Coaching Committee), Lloyd Mpande (Judges Committee)

And participants who assisted in other areas like organizing, umpiring, records keeping and judging.

TV and Media Coverage:
The event received good media coverage both on print and electronic media before, during and after the event. The national TV, private and state owned radio station covered the event.