The Malawi Aquatic Union (MAU) has renewed its call for greater investment in swimming, saying Malawi is now developing athletes capable of competing at elite levels if given adequate support.

Speaking in Lilongwe on Saturday during a swimming gala hosted by the Lilongwe Swimming Club, MAU Vice President (administration) Grace Kumchulesi said the sport is rapidly growing but continues to suffer from chronic resource shortages.

“We have a promising pool of young swimmers, but the truth is that swimming remains one of Malawi’s least-resourced sports,” Kumchulesi said. “If we want these children to reach their full potential and represent Malawi proudly on bigger stages, we must invest, now more than ever.”

The gala involved dozens of young swimmers, many of them under 12, and offered a glimpse of Malawi’s emerging talent. Kumchulesi noted that despite the enthusiasm and commitment from young athletes, the sport still lags behind football and netball in terms of funding, infrastructure and public attention.

“These children are working hard, but without proper facilities, equipment, and continuous support, their progress will be limited,” she added. “We are appealing to parents, partners and the public to come on board.”

Coach Brave Lifa echoed her sentiments, praising the athletes’ resilience and commitment to training.

“These kids have shown exceptional discipline,” Lifa said. “They have completed weeks of demanding training to prepare for future competitions, including the national championships. With more support, some of them can go far, even beyond Malawi.”

One of the standout performers, young swimmer Naledi Nkosi, expressed determination to push her talent further after winning multiple medals proudly saying, “My dream is to represent Malawi on the international stage. I will keep working hard until I get there.”

Event sponsor Alice Munthali, an official at MMM Sports Plus, applauded both the organizers and the swimmers. She described the event as a well-run gala,

“The performances we witnessed were truly impressive,” Munthali said. “What these young swimmers need is consistent encouragement and resources. If we nurture them now, Malawi will have a strong generation of competitive swimmers.”

The gala concluded with medal presentations to outstanding swimmers.

Several of the top performers will represent the Lilongwe Swimming Club at the upcoming Malawi National Swimming Championships. The annual event, organized by the Malawi Aquatic Union, has seen increasing participation and rising standards, with clubs across the country striving for national records and international qualifying times.