NICO GENERAL CLASSIC INTERNATIONAL SQUASH COMPETITION
Courtesy of The Nation Newspaper Newspaper - 02/December/2008

Zambian players were on the loose again, scooping all the top prizes in the K1.5 million NICO General Classic International Squash competition held at Sunbird Capital Hotel for three days.

A total of 35 players took part in the tournament and 15 of them came from neighbouring Zambia, Zimbabwe ana Tanzania.

After three days of tough contests, Zambia's Manda Chilambwe came out top in the A Division, defeating fellow countryman Bruce Chikabuka, who is based in Tanzania by three straight sets to nil. Chilambwe received a trophy and US$1,200 (about MK 170,000) from NICO General Insurance.

"I thank NICO General for the wonderful tournament, which I enjoyed so much. After finishing third last year, I prepared adequately this time and I think I deserved the title," said Chilambwe after receiving the prizes. The runner-up, who is coaching in Tanzania got a trophy and US$900 (about K127,000) with third-placed Aubrey Taulo pocketing $600 (about K85,000). Fourth-placed James Matewere got US$500 (about K80.000) and Zimbabwean Admire Magwaza received K 10,000 as plate winner for the A-Division.

The B-Division, which was supposed to be a men's affair was won by Zambian lady Sharon Chimfwembe. She defeated Malawian Pemphero Mwinjiro 3-1 in the final for the B-Division to claim a K50,000 cash prize and a trophy. Chimfwembe, who also played and won in the ladies' category said she wanted to keep herself strong by rubbing shoulders with men. "There is not much competition in the ladies category so I want to keep myself strong by competing with men.

I will come again next year to defend both the ladies' and the B-Division titles," said Chimfwembe. Apart from the NICO General Classic, Chimfwerabe has been ladies' champion for Namibian Open for five consecutive years but did not defend the title this year for what she called "personal reasons". She is also the reigning ladies' champion for Zimbabwe Open. Speaking during the presentation ceremony, PS for Youth Development and Sports Alex Mseka hailed NICO General Insurance for sponsoring the competition in the last five years and increasing the stakes from the initial K400.000 to K1.5 million. He urged the squash fraternity to express appreciation to NICO General by buying insurance policies from the company.

NICO General Insurance general manager Eric Chapola said the sponsors were pleased to see the tournament improving each year and pledged a continuation of sponsorship. Chapola also hailed Squash Malawi for excellent organisation and the participating players, especially those from outside the country for gracing the event.

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