By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-FIFA delegates met with various key stakeholders on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, in the capital, Lilongwe, ahead of the inclusive academy roll-out in the country at Luwinga Technical Center in Mzuzu.
Stakeholders included representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Minister of Gender, the Minister of Education, the National Football Coaches Association, Football Legends, UNICEF, UNESCO, and the National Youth Football Association.
The inclusive Football academy, which has been under construction at Luwinga in Mzuzu, is expected to impart the best footballing techniques, knowledge, and skills to young players.
In addition to learning football, children of all sexes ranging between 14-16 years will also receive education while maintaining good morals.
FIFA is implementing this development in three African countries, including Djibouti and Mauritania.
The world’s football governing body will inject US$250,000 into the academy in two installments. Malawi will receive the first installment of USD150,000, followed by the second installment of USD100,000.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Walter Nyamilandu expressed his excitement about the Luwinga project, stating that the academy will be the first of its kind in the country and will be wholly managed by the association, aiming to produce professional footballers.
“As FAM, we are very pleased that the academy project will finally be rolled out. It is a dream come true. FIFA’s commitment to establishing the academy in Malawi is being fulfilled, and Luwinga Technical Center has been selected for this project.
“We are extremely delighted that the long-held dream is becoming a reality. It will meet high standards, and we are not looking for shortcuts,” said Nyamilandu.
“We have seen Western African countries excel in the World Cup and the Africa Cup because they have excellent talent, and we have always believed that academies are the way to bridge this gap. We have seen the fruits of local academies, from Surestream to Ascent Academy.
“We have witnessed good talent in a short time, and now we are talking about an inclusive academy where players will stay on-site, learning, receiving education, playing football, and being taught to grow in a balanced manner. We want to make good use of this opportunity because such opportunities do not come often,” Nyamilandu added.
FIFA Director of Member Associations, Gelson Fernandes, stated that Malawi was chosen alongside Mauritania and Djibouti for the project after considering the quality of administration and stability.
“Malawi was successful in its application, and the academy will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of young talents, not only in football but in multiple professions. We observed the stability and quality of administration, including the impact the project will have,” said Fernandes.
The Luwinga Technical Center, where the Academy is planned, features hostels, offices, and three football pitches.
To ensure that the project achieves its intended goals, FIFA will regularly send experts for monitoring and evaluation and to assist local coaches and teachers.