New Zomba City Mayor Christopher Jana has said he will work towards achieving government plans in promoting sports in the old capital city.

Jana said this in Zomba on Sunday at the end of a two-day sports festival for primary schools in the city which was held at the Gymkhana Club ground. The festival involved discipline codes such as netball, football, lawn tennis, and cricket, among others.

He said Zomba needs political will to develop in sports and there is need for coordinated efforts from stakeholders to achieve this.

“We need to take sports, as a tool for education, development and peace, can promote cooperation, solidarity, tolerance, understanding, social inclusion and health at the local, national and international levels.

“We used to have athletes from Zomba who performed well in various disciplines and made names. But in recent years, that changed and there is need to restore the lost glory. I believe in togetherness to achieve this. Through this sports festival, I am sure raw talent has been identified and needs to be properly nurtured,” he said.

On Zomba Stadium project, the Mayor assured the residents that they will have a magnificent facility worth the city. He said the project had delayed due to a change of design to fit the 20,000-seater stadium.

“Once the project has been finalized, residents will have a facility fitted with a running-track, VIP section, volleyball, netball and basketball courts. I appeal for their patience but this is a big project which needs thorough implementation,” Jana said.

In his remarks, chairperson of the organizing committee, Gracious Madzi Odikha Kubwalo expressed gratitude to all the schools that participated for good sportsmanship.

During the sports festival, Mponda Primary School emerged champions in football when they beat Sacred Heart 1-0 whereas in netball, Mponda defeated Mpotola 19-15. The Mayor also presented certificates to 35 people who completed a two-week refereeing course.