Today, MUST campus in Thyolo is buzzing with excitement as final preparations to host this year's Public Universities Staff Sports Association of Malawi (PUSSAM) intervarsity games are at an advanced stage. 

The 6th PUSSAM tournament will run from today, July 24 to Saturday, July 25, at MUST's main campus in Ndata, Thyolo.

The highly anticipated annual tournament will bring together staff members from Malawi’s public universities of MUST, Mzuzu University (Mzuni), Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar), University of Malawi (Unima), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) and, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (Mubas). 

According to Allan Chongwe, Vice Chairperson of the MUST Organizing Committee, the primary objective of the games is to promote the health and wellness of public university employees, enhance physical fitness, and act as a networking platform.

"Because we are a family, this also provides a chance for employees in public universities to get to know one another," Chongwe explained. 

"Our participation in the Intervarsity Games is not only about competition, but to also build character, teamwork and lasting connections.”

The two-day annual event is held on rotational basis with one of the six universities hosting the event in a particular year. 

As participants arrive tomorrow, they will be prepared to battle it out in a wide range of sporting disciplines, including football, netball, volleyball, basketball, athletics, pool, darts, tug of war and traditional games like bawo and nguli.

To ensure that MUST hosts a successful tournament, it has received a K10 million sponsorship from NICO and the company is expected to grace the occasion to showcase some of its products and services. 

Over the years, the PUSSAM games have evolved into one of the most eagerly anticipated and highly competitive annual fixtures for public university staff.

Meanwhile, Chongwe is rallying the host community to come out in large numbers and support the athletes, welcome the visiting participants and celebrate the unifying spirit of university staff sports.