All Sports events are expected to be at bay in the next 20 days as the President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera on Tuesday declared a 21-day nation mourning period.
The Super League of Malawi has announced the rescheduling of the 2024 TNM Super League games which were supposed to be played this weekend to a later date as the nation continues mourning the departed souls of Vice President, Dr Saulos Chilima and 8 others who tragically died on a plane crash.
After a two-week break due to FIFA International games, Super League games were expected to resume this weekend with leaders, Silver Strikers returning to Blantyre to face Mighty Waka Waka Tigers while FCB Nyasa Big Bullets were expected to travel to Lilongwe to face CRECK Sporting Club among other fixtures.
In a statement released by the league governing body on Tuesday evening, Sulom said the games will resume at a later date to be announced.
“The Super League of Malawi (SULOM) is shocked and saddened by the tragic demise of State Vice President Right Honourable Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima and all those who passed alongside him in the plane crash.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with their families, friends, and the entire Nation during this difficult time. Dr. Chilima’s legacy will forever be remembered in our hearts. In view of this, all Super League games this weekend have been rescheduled to later dates,” reads the announcement.
The Central Region Football Association has also announced the postponement of this weekend’s games due to the same development.
“The Central Region Football Association (CRFA) has announced the suspension of all matches scheduled for this Wednesday and Weekend in honor of Malawi’s Vice President, the Right Honourable Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima.
“This decision is a tribute to the Vice President and all those who perished in the tragic plane crash in Chikangawa Forest,” announces CRFA.
The development was announced on Tuesday evening saying: “His Excellence, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, the President of the Republic Of Malawi, has directed that the nation observes a period of twenty one (21) days of mourning commencing on Tuesday 11 June to 1 July in honour of the Late Right Honourable, Dr. Saulos Klausi Chilima and eight others whom we lost in a tragic plane crash on Monday, 10 June near Chikangawa Forest, Mzimba,” reads the press release.
Chakwera has also directed that flags be flown at half-mast throughout the period of mourning.
Meanwhile, Chakwera has constituted a ministerial committee to oversee the state funeral of Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others who were killed in a plane crash.
Confirming the development, Minister of Information and Digitalisation Moses Kunkuyu says the committee, which is chaired by Minister of Justice Titus Mvalo and other 10 cabinet ministers will co- opt UTM and MCP Secretary Generals Patricia Kaliati and Eisenhower Mkaka respectively.
The other committee members are: Harry Mkandawire Minister of Defence; Michael Usi Minister of Natural Resources; Simplex Chithyola Banda Minister of Finance; Nancy Tembo Minister of Foreign Affairs; Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda Minister of Health; Richard Chimwendo Banda Minister of Local Government; Ken Zikhale Ng’oma Minister of Homeland Security; Vera Kamtukule Minister of Tourism; Moses Kunkuyu Minister of Information and Jacob Hara Minister of Transport and Public works.
