Malawi’s multi-talented athlete Asimenye Simwaka has forgone her Olympic Solidarity scholarship after failing to choose between athletics and football, Times Sport has learnt.
Simwaka was among six athletes awarded the prestigious Olympic Solidarity scholarship in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games in the United States of America.
As part of the scholarship, the runner-cum-footballer was supposed to stay in Portugal for three years, during which she could have been based at Rio Major Sports Centre.
Rio Major Sports Centre is a high-performance hub that has trained elite athletes across the world.
Following the termination of the deal, Simwaka has lost monthly benefits of $1,500 (approximately K2.6 million).
Both Simwaka and Malawi Olympic Committee (Moc) General Secretary Henry Sakala confirmed the development in separate interviews Wednesday.
Simwaka said she would not go back to Portugal after her scholarship was withdrawn. “You may recall that, after the Commonwealth Games, I proceeded to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon finals), where we qualified for the Women’s World Cup. Following this, I was asked by Olympic Solidarity to choose between athletics and football.
“As I have passion for both sports, I was unable to choose one. Consequently, they ended the scholarship. I am yet to receive official documentation. However, their concern was that [the prospects of] injuries in football are higher than in athletics and, looking at their investment, they could not proceed to support my scholarship,” Simwaka said.
She said she had already accepted her fate and her focus now was on her football career with the Scorchers.
“Yes, I was doing training in Portugal under the LA2028 Olympic Solidarity sscholarship and I will not be going back. We have respected each other’s decision. I remain grateful for the opportunity and for the support rendered to me during my training in Portugal,” Simwaka said.
Moc General Secretary Henry Sakala said it was Simwaka’s personal choice.
“We, at Moc, respect individuals’ opinions and choices.
“In terms of LA2028, Olympic Games, who knows—she may be there through a different qualification route. All in all, let us wish her well in her choices,” Sakala said.
Other athletes who benefitted from the scholarship are Joseph Phiri (taekwondo), Chikondi Kathewera (judo), Luka Smit and Areneo David and Mark Abel (archery).