INTO Sports has donated 17 pairs of athletic shoes valued at K450,000 to Malawi Olympic Committee (Moc) ahead of this year's Olympic Games to be staged in London in July.

The firm's managing director Shabir Ismail said they were hoping the donation would motivate local athletes to do well at the event.

"In the past we noted that local athletes were struggling at similar games because they lacked proper running shoes. We feel our donation will assist the team and inspire them to achieve positive results," he said.

Moc vice president Flora Mwandira, who was accompanied by the body's president Oscar Kanjala and general secretary Helene Mpinganjira, thanked Into Sports for the donation.

"The donation is timely as we are finalising preparations for the Olympic Games. They have given us high quality shoes and we really appreciate their support," she said.

Mwandira also asked other organisations to support Moc to make this year's Olympic Games trip a success.

Malawi National Council of Sports executive secretary George Jana, who was present the event, also echoed similar remarks.

Jana said it was important to motivate athletes so that they should perform well.

Recently, Moc president said they would use the Olympic Day celebration to

unveil Malawi's squad to the games.

Malawi is set to celebrate the day on June 23 in Nkhotokota with several sporting activities.

"The world is abuzz with the forthcoming Olympic Games in London. Malawi will send athletes to compete at the games. With less than two months to go, Moc will on this day unveil 'Team Malawi' in a very glamorous fashion," Kanjala said.