In a major scoop for Gloucestershire, a 40-strong delegation from Malawi will be using the county as their home prior to the Olympic Games.
Yesterday, at the university’s Oxstalls campus in Gloucester, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Malawi representatives, council chiefs and university bosses to confirm the deal. It will be a major boost for schools with more than 100 signing up to the “Get Set” Scheme. This will involve aspects of the Olympics and the Malawi team being included in the curriculum, with athletes visiting some of them as they use the county’s facilities for training
Jappie Mhango, president of the Malawi National Olympic Committee, said: “I arrived here a few days ago and I find Gloucestershire beautiful.
As soon as we saw the facilities we wanted to come here – the athletes cannot wait to arrive, we will be in Gloucestershire for three months before the games start and aim to make the most of it.”.
With experience of delivering Olympic training and preparation as far back as the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, Professor David James, Associate Dean (Research) at the University, has been instrumental in putting these plans together with the consortium. Professor James explains: “This is a great opportunity for the county of Gloucestershire to play a part in the preparation of the athletes and for the whole Malawi team to become a part of the Gloucestershire community.”
Councillor Paul James said: “By working together we have shown that we can provide first class facilities for world class athletes and their support teams.
I am delighted that the superb standard of our combined resources have been recognized at international level in this way. It is great news for local people that the spirit of the Olympics will be in evidence so close to home.”
