By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) is expected to inaugurate the rehabilitated Nsanje Youth Centre on Friday, May 30, 2025.
The body’s Competitions and Communications Director, Gomezgani Zakazaka said the Association has kept its promise of opening the facility within the first half of the year.
FIFA foundation funded the project to the tune of $500 000 in response to the effects of Cyclone Idai in 2019.
Among the main new features of the facility are a new modern football pitch and a solar power irrigation system.
In addition, the pitch has been secured with a wire perimeter fence as well as the construction of brick fence, a VIP stand and dressing rooms for the football teams and match officials.
“We can confirm that FAM is going to inaugurate the Nsanje Youth Centre on Friday. It has been a long journey in as far this facility.
Remember that we got funding from FIFA foundation to rehabilitate the entity in response to the effects of Cylone Idai In 2019,” Zakazaka said.
He added, “FIFA legend Yakubu was in the country and went to Nsanje and after that visit when he appreciated how people were affected, there was a proposal to us on how they can come in to help us and one of them was to rehabilitate the facility.
“We got the approval of the funding three years ago but we took time to start the project because of other issues to do with Forex and compiling issues to align with the council. But we are grad that finally the project is finished after starting it last year”.
In March the FAM President Fleetwood Haiya alongside FIFA foundation official Mellisa Cuzzani visited the facility, and they assured the public that the facility will be inaugurated before end of June.
“We are glad that we have beaten that deadline and are finally handing over the facility to the people of Nsanje. This facility will play a huge role in bridging the gap between the elite teams and amateur teams,” added Zakazaka.
FAM President Fleetwood Haiya, Ministry of Sports as well as Ministry of Local government officials are expected to attend the ceremony which will be spiced up by a football match between Umodzi vs Nsanje Medicals.