Haiya presents a gift to a FIFA official during the launch: Photo Credit: FAM Media.
FIFA-funded Luwinga Inclusive Academy has opened its doors in Malawi, a development the Southern African country’s football association believes would transform the local game.
When he launched the academy, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Fleetwood Haiya said the facility was in line with his manifesto of Transforming the Game.
“In our strategic plan, the major area we are prioritising is grassroots football. I promised I would get this space into an inclusive academy within one year of my term of office,” he said.
Haiya, who defeated long-serving Walter Nyamilandu to the FAM presidency last December, said his ultimate dream is to see the academy produce players who would graduate into the senior national team.
“We are going to realise our goal of transforming the game. We are also talking about the export strategy. We have to export players at the youthful stage,” he added.
FIFA has since assigned former South Africa under-17 national team coach Thabo Senong to be in charge of the academy in the Northern Region city of Mzuzu. The former Sekhukhune United assistant coach has since said the academy has the potential to turn around the fortunes of Malawi football.
“The talent development scheme is about ensuring that three objectives are achieved: finding talent, giving the best talent a chance and trying to get the best talent to train with the best talent. I am honoured and humbled to be part of this project,” he said.
The academy comprises 25 boys and 17 girls with FAM paying for their school fees while FIFA takes care of their football needs. The Fifa Talent Development Scheme is the brainchild of the world football governing body’s chief of global football development, Arsene Wenger.
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