By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has committed MK90 million to support grassroots football development through district leagues.
The official launch of the leagues took place on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at the Champion Stadium in Mponela-Dowa.
This marks the third edition of the initiative, which aims to foster local teams, discover hidden talents, and nurture young players.
FAM President Walter Nyamilandu, who presided over the launch, hailed the competition as a resounding success, citing the discovery and nurturing of talents in the previous two editions.
“Our initial three-year pilot has exceeded our expectations, revealing promising players with immense potential. This success motivates us to continue this competition across the country,” says Nyamilandu.
He also expressed his enthusiasm for the stadium, envisioning it as a potential training ground for the Malawi National Team. “The national team belongs to all Malawians and should be accessible across the country, including here in Dowa,” he emphasized.
During the launch event, there was a trophy parade in Mponela before a match between Tchawale City and Dzaleka-based team Kalembelembe, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The league was initially introduced in 2021 and launched in the Salima district.
Last year, the league’s budget was set at MK60 million.
The upcoming edition will see the participation of 32 teams per district, competing in multiple phases. In the initial stage, these teams will be divided into eight groups of four, competing in a round-robin format.
The top team from each group will advance to the second phase, which will adopt a knockout format starting from the quarterfinals.
