MNCS, MBC sign MoU to broaden coverage of local sports

The Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state broadcaster, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), aimed at expanding the coverage of local sports beyond the traditionally popular disciplines.

Speaking during the signing ceremony held in Blantyre, MBC Director of Programs, Kate Kujaliwa, emphasized that the partnership signals the broadcaster’s commitment to diversifying its sports content

Kujaliwa said this will facilitate a shift beyond football and netball while including a wider range of disciplines.

“This collaboration reflects our intent to give visibility to all sports in Malawi, not just the popular ones,” Kujaliwa said.

MBC Director of Engineering, Aidan Gumeni, echoed this sentiment, noting that most Malawians have been denied access to the full spectrum of sports due to limited broadcasting.

“We have mainly focused on football and netball. But with this MoU, we are creating a platform for all 43 sporting bodies, so that every Malawian can follow their sport of interest,” he said.

On his part, MNCS Chief Executive Officer Henry Kamata described the initiative as a significant step towards promoting lesser-known sports across the country.

“This partnership will help unlock the abundant treasure of sports in Malawi. We want fans to follow various competitions while also opening doors for marketing and sponsorship opportunities,” Kamata explained.

Kamata further assured representatives from various sports associations who attended the event that the Council is committed to ensuring the initiative’s sustainability.

Vice General Secretary of the Boxing Association of Malawi, Aggie Mtimaukanena, welcomed the development, saying: “This is a very welcome development, and we are happy because now is the time for the nation to get more insight into our sport, boxing, and many others that have long gone unnoticed.”

The agreement mandates MBC to provide media coverage for all 43 registered sporting disciplines in the country, many of which have historically received minimal or no exposure.

The move is expected to close the visibility gap for minority sports and foster greater national engagement with a broader variety of sporting activities.