By Edwin Mbewe
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya has revealed plans to build a strong strategic alliance with Japan to transform Malawi football.
Haiya made the statement during a courtesy call from Japanese Ambassador to Malawi, Youichi Oya, at the FAM headquarters in Blantyre.
The visit was in response to FAM’s efforts to court international partners, following meetings with several embassies last year.
Haiya thanked Ambassador Oya for his historic visit to Mpira Village, demonstrating Japan’s commitment to partnering with FAM in football development.
“This is a good moment for us to host you here. Our strategic plan emphasizes forming strategic alliances with foreign football associations through their embassies,” Haiya said.
“We’ve discussed areas of collaboration, including exchange visits for technical personnel and arranging matches between our national teams.”
Ambassador Oya donated footballs to FAM on behalf of the Japanese FA and expressed excitement about building a strategic working relationship with Malawi.
“There’s already a good working relationship between Malawi and Japan on football development,” Oya said.
“We can build on this to make great strides in collaborations between referees, coaches, national teams, and players to develop football in Malawi.”
The two countries have existing ties, with a Japanese volunteer from the Japan International Cooperation Agency attached to FAM’s technical department.
Malawian player, Jabulani Linje has also played in the Japanese league, while Japanese player, Genki Nakamura played in Malawi.
