Superb perfomance by MUBAS sport teams during the 3rd PUSSAM Inter-Vasity Games

News   MUBAS   May 29, 2023
PIC: MUBAS staff
Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) staff were declared the overall winner of the 3rd Public University Staff Sports Association of Malawi (PUSSAM) inter-varsity games that were hosted by Mzuzu University (MZUNI) on 26th May, 2023.

MUBAS had an outstanding performance that put the University on 1st position as it had gracefully bundled 27 medals: 16 gold, 6 silver, and 5 bronze. Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) came second with an aggregate of 14 medals. Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) was on 3rd position; Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) on 4th position; University of Malawi (UNIMA) on 5th position; and the host, Mzuzu University (MZUNI) on the 6th position.

Games featured during the tournament included athletics which included field and track events, netball, football, darts, volleyball, draft, chess, nguli (also known as spinning the top), pool, and bawo.

One of MUBAS athletes, Tamara Singini, who won three medals, was excited about the sporting events, especially on the value gained from the games.

“Sports contributes highly to a healthy living. Living fit is not only healthy; it is also a good strategy for minimizing expenditure on medical bills. The 3rd PUSSAM Inter-varsity games offered us as MUBAS an opportunity to become one, as the athletes came from various University’s sections and departments,” said Singini.

Singin’s observation resonated the Athletics Captain, Murray Mwachumu, who was of the view that sports play vital role in addressing challenges linked with mental problems as sports brings excitement, and, in a way, becomes an antidote for stress, which eventually leads to relatively high performance of the staff members.

In addition to his observation of the link between sporting and work performance, Mwachumu was deeply impressed by MUBAS performance at the games, saying:

“Our performance this time around was impressive because of the inspiration we received from our Vice- Chancellor, as she joins the MUBAS sports events, especially during the MUBAS walks. This, gesture has contributed to our success during the games, resulting in MUBAS scooping more medals in athletics. 

Another athlete who participated in the games, Regina Kavala, opined that MUBAS staff athletes can utilize multiple strategies that could enhance the teams performance through regular trainings and participating in other related competitions within and outside the University.

Michael Adamu, another athlete, expressed his concern on the number of athletes who attended the games, which led to some tournaments having less team members to constitute the required numbers for some respective games. Adamu also lamented on the lack of proper organization of the games which saw our MUBAS and LUANAR football teams boycotting their semi-final matches. 

MUBAS Sports Administrator, Mr. Victor Chikoti, was quite impressed about MUBAS performance as he said:

“We are greatly excited about this performance because to MUBAS, sports unites us, builds the teamwork we need, expresses our potential, and assures us that together we can do exploits”, said the excited Chikoti.

Chikoti’s sentiments resounded the sentiments in the opening remarks of the guest of honour for the event, Dr. Lameck Khonje, Dean of Hospitality and Tourism at MZUNI as he pointed out the significance of the day’s sporting events: 

“I should emphasize that this sports festival should not just be looked at as a sporting event; it should be a platform for all of us in the public universities to share ideas on how best we can impact Malawi in a positive manner”, advised Dr. Khonje.

MUBAS Staff Sports Association president, Mr Noel Chavula, applauded the athletes and Management for working together to take MUBAS sports further.

“My gratitude goes to the athletes for working so hard to carry the day and to bring a relatively large number of medals home. I am also thankful to management for the various kinds of support to the MUBAS Staff Sport Association. The support promotes sports at MUBAS, which is not only a recreational means, but also an avenue for staff to associate with other staff within the University and with other staff members from the other various universities. These events also promote sports education and a sense of family among staff,” said Mr. Chavula. 

The 3rd PUSSAM sports festival was thematized “Strength in Togetherness”.

The MUBAS sport team is expected to participate in the fourth coming Southern African Universities Staff Sports Association (SAUSSA) Games to be hosted by North West University, Mafikeng Campus, South Africa in December this year.


Also in the news

Ngwira steers for good education
April 26, 2019, Chapter Banda
Ngwira steers for good education
In a bid to create a conducive environment for learning to Thandazga Primary School Pupils, a final year student of Environmental Health at The Malawi Polytechnic—Towera Ngwira, awarded the best three performing learners at the school in each class.