Facilities’ shortfalls may affect sports policy
Government has placed inclusivity at the heart of its new National Sports Policy Framework aimed to ensure tht sports activities accommodate persons with disabilities and “leave no one behind”. But the vision faces a major hurdle as most public and private sports facilities across the country are not disability-friendly. According to the Ministry of Youth, … The post Facilities’ shortfalls may affect sports policy appeared first on Nation Online.
Black News 
Government has placed inclusivity at the heart of its new National Sports Policy Framework aimed to ensure tht sports activities accommodate persons with disabilities and “leave no one behind”.
But the vision faces a major hurdle as most public and private sports facilities across the country are not disability-friendly.
According to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the new policy and the Malawi National Council of Sports Act will be enforced before the end of 2026 and once active, all sports facilities will be required to meet disability accessibility standards.
At present, only Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe is considered fully accessible to athletes and spectators with disabilities. At the other venues, ramps, accessible seating and disability-friendly toilets are largely absent.
The ministry’s spokesperson McMillan Mwale said in an interview that compliance will be mandatory once the policy takes effect.
be mandatory. | Nation
“The current set-up excludes some groups, especially persons with disabilities from accessing our facilities. With the policy and the Act in operation, we will only require facilities that are accessible to persons with physical disabilities,” he said.
Mwale added that the ministry has a standard guide for construction of new facilities where disability access must be considered from the planning stage.
“Those not adhering to the policy will face fines and penalties,” he said.
Malawi Paralympics Committee president James Chiutsi commended government for prioritising inclusion.
“For a long time, persons with disabilities have been denied access to sports due to the absence of user-friendly facilities. This should have been done years ago. We are thankful that government has highlighted disability in the new policy. We hope it becomes a commitment for all, including the private sector, to make facilities adaptable for everyone,” he said.
Disability rights activist George Chiusiwa, who is also Malawi Council of Disability Affairs director general, said the policy aligns with Malawi 2063’s inclusive development agenda.
He said: “Accessibility to sports infrastructure is central to participation by athletes, coaches and spectators with disabilities. Participation in sport, whether for leisure or as an economic activity, is a human rights issue enshrined in the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2024. Section 34 obligates the Malawi National Council for Sports to promote disability-specific sporting facilities and make reasonable accommodations in government-owned venues.”
The policy update comes 19 years after Malawi’s first National Sports Policy.
In an earlier interview, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Principal Secretary responsible for administration Misheck Munthali said the review was necessary to address emerging gaps.
“Many critical areas are not adequately addressed in the old policy framework. This makes it necessary to develop a new policy that is relevant, forward-looking, and responsive to contemporary trends. It will give every Malawian equal opportunity to participate in sport regardless of physical ability,” he said.
The post Facilities’ shortfalls may affect sports policy appeared first on Nation Online.
