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| UNIMA Checkers VT Squad at 2025 TESSAM II. Photo Credits: Volleyball Malawi. |
The slight failure to return gold at the just-ended TESSAM tournament has not stopped The University of Malawi Checkers Volleyball team (UNIMA Checkers VT) stars from being called into the squad by The Volleyball Association of Malawi to represent Malawi Universities and Colleges in the Confederation of Universities and Colleges Sports Association (CUCSA) games, which will be hosted in Botswana.
On Sunday, 30th November, 2025 UNIMA Checkers boys fell short to MZUNI Trojans after dominating the previous rounds and having better scores throughout the tournament. Their dominant displays paid off as the majority of the team's players have been called to go camping in preparation to represent the tertiary institutions at CUCSA set to kick-off 2026 in Botswana.
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| Checkers VT Captain Mikuwa at the back and his fellow stars recharging. Credits: Volleyball Malawi |
Hence, the slight failure to secure gold did not stop the Volleyball Association of Malawi from recognising their prowess, as the immediate former TESSAM gold and current silver medalists, went on to dominate the squad.
The UNIMA Checkers, like the Spain football team in 2010 and 2012 which was dominated by Barcelona players, have also dominated the with ten players compared to their rivals. Barcelona had a majority of players in the Spanish national football team despite semi-final losses to Internazionale Milan and Chelsea, leading to the country's FIFA World Cup and Euro Championship triumphs respectively. Despite being different sporting disciplines, having a majority of UNIMA Checkers' players who already have a good chemistry, also gives the Malawi joint tertiary volleyball team a huge boost like the then all-conquering Spanish football team.
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| Checkers Captain Mikuwa recharging in a game vs NRC. Photo Credits: Volleyball Malawi |
The team also comprises the current gold medalists from MZUNI Trojans, bronze medalists from Bunda Dragons (LUANAR) and the other TESSAM competitors who did not make it to top three in the tournament that just ended last Sunday on 30th November, 2025.
Below are the names and positions of UNIMA Checkers' players who have been called to join camp as Malawi Volleyball prepare for the games.
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| Checkers VT ready for the Kickoff. Photo Credits: Volleyball Malawi |
David Chinkhuntha (Setter)
Beston Chimpeni (Setter)
Blessings Mikuwa (CB/Power hitter)
Benson Chimpeni (Opposite)
Leo Kadam'manja (CB)
Harrison Julius (Power)
McDonald Ngwira (Power)
Raphael Chimombo (Power)
Latif Dulana (Power/Libero)
Deusdeditt Chigwenyu (Power)
Congratulations boys!
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