The Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC), in collaboration with Olympic Solidarity, successfully hosted a Level 1 Technical Course for Coaches (TCC) in rowing. This initiative builds on the momentum of a previous technical course held in 2019, which supported regional nations preparing coaches and athletes for the inaugural African Beach Games.
MOC President Jappie Mhango, who attended the course, emphasized the Committee’s strategic shift toward supporting individual sports over team sports as part of its objectives for the upcoming Olympic quadrennial
The course covered key aspects of coastal rowing, including equipment management, rigging, training techniques, racing strategies, safety protocols, and risk management. Delivered by World Rowing (WR) Coach Educators Sizwe Ndlovu (South Africa) and Emma Benany (Egypt), the sessions were tailored to enhance the skills of both experienced and new coaches.
Beyond technical training, the course provided an opportunity to assess the progress of current Level 1 certified coaches and offer updates on best practices. Special attention was also given to introducing safeguarding protocols, with reference to the WR Safeguarding Toolkit, ensuring coaches are equipped to foster safe and inclusive environments for athletes
Held at the scenic Sunbird Livingstonia Beach Hotel, the course hosted 20 participants, including 14 men and 6 women, representing the lakeside regions of Salima and Mangochi. The venue, located along Lake Malawi, provided the perfect setting for practical coastal rowing training.
World Rowing extends its appreciation to Olympic Solidarity, the Malawi Olympic Committee, the Rowing Federation of Malawi, and Sunbird Hotels for their invaluable support in making this initiative a success. Lake Malawi’s natural resources offer immense potential for rowing development, and with coastal rowing now part of the Summer Olympic Games program, Malawi is well-positioned to become a key player in Southern Africa’s rowing scene.
