NICO HOLDINGS LIMITED PLEDGES CONTINUED SUPPORT TO ATHLETICS
… Planning to turn the marathon into an international event

NICO Holdings Limited has pledged commitment to the improvement of sports by continuing sponsoring Blantyre marathon organized by Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM).

NICO Holdings Limited Chairman George Jafu speaking during the event at Kamuzu Upper Stadium in Blantyre said his company loves to be in partnership with government in social development of the country through sponsoring activities including sports.

Jafu said NICO Holdings Limited as a company has been exploring more ways to assist government in its social responsibilities in the country and at this point he assured Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) of continued sponsorship.



“I first of all, congratulate the winners at this event for putting in great efforts; the competition was exciting; we also acknowledge the organizers’ efforts.

“We will continue sponsoring the event, we are coming back next year, this is an assurance we are giving you,” said Jafu amid deafening ululation from the audience.

In response Minister of Sports and Youth Development Khumbo Kachali, challenged the organizers Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) to ensure improvement of athletics in the country.
He said the resources the organizers are investing would be meaningless if standards of athletics remain stagnated.



He also assured the athletics body of government support. “I would like to congratulate NICO Holdings Limited for making today’s event possible, without them, we could not have assembled here to witness this big event, I am delighted at seeing the winners smiling with prizes.

“As government, we promise to continue supporting sports in the country, in this year’s budget there are substantial allocations to various sports disciplines, we would like to see associations giving us good programmes and we will fund them.





He however said government would not release money to any association which does not demonstrate seriousness in its programmes.

“We don’t want to see any association sending athletes to international sports events without adequate preparations because they don’t represent themselves, they represent Malawi as a country. When they perform badly they leave negative legacy about Malawi government,” he said.

NICO Holdings Limited Managing Director Felix Mlusu making a speech about the event said NICO Holdings Limited wants to turn the Marathon into an international event. But he said this would only work if the organizers improve in certain areas. He made a mention of turn up of participants which he descried as not impressive.

He said expectations of NICO Holdings Limited, after having sponsored the event for four years was that, the event could attract a good number of athletes who could compete.

“Our desire is to turn the event into a full international event where neighbouring countries could be sending their athletes to compete, and this can only be achieved if there is good response from within our country.





“Our concern therefore is that this year’s event was not impressively patronized. We therefore appeal to organizers to improve,” he said.

Acting President of Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM), making a statement asked government to consider tax waiver for companies which invest in sports making a mention of NICO Holdings Limited Holdings. “We are short of words on the support we get from NICO Holdings Limited, they are great partners in Athletics, Our appeal to government is that, it should consider lifting tax for NICO Holdings Limited and other companies which sponsor sports, this would motivate them to do more,” he said.

Winner in Men’s category, Mike Tebulo, representing the Central Region, arrived after 2 hours 27 minutes completing the tumultuous 42.195 kilometre road race said he was excited at lifting this year’s gold medal extending that this would motivate him to do more in his career as an athlete.
 Tebulo beat defending champion Henry Moyo who came third after another Central Region athlete John Kayange. Moyo who won the  World Marathon in Malaysia in 2005 appeared ill prepared for the event.  However he is still defending his 2004 record of 2 hours 16 minutes which has never been beaten by anybody.

Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were Director of Sports Justin Saidi, vice Chairman of Sports Council Dean Pinto, Regional Sports Directors, President of Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) Fioriano Massa, his Vice President Jaap Mhango, his General Secretary Ireen Helen Mpinganjira and Executive Secretary of Sports Council George Jana among others.