FAM, MASA join forces to promote grassroots football
Haiya (r) shaking hands with Malamula after signing the partnership
The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and the Malawi School Sports Association (MASA) have signed a five year working partnership aimed at revitalizing grassroots football in schools, with a focus on nurturing talent, promoting education, and improving player development structures.
FAM President Fleetwood Haiya described the agreement as a necessary, emphasizing its role in reviving player production, which had slowed in recent years.
“This partnership will help us identify and develop young players while addressing challenges like age cheating. It will also save us costs that we previously incurred in scouting and recruiting players,” Haiya said.
As part of the collaboration, FAM and MASA will work together to secure sponsorships for school tournaments to ensure a sustainable football development program.
Schools will receive football equipment and technical support to improve training sessions, while special training camps will be organized during school holidays to keep players in shape and allow scouts to identify emerging talent.
Haiya stressed that the initiative would prioritize education, ensuring that no student drops out of school in pursuit of football.
“No student will be forced to leave school just to continue playing football. Instead, we want football to be a bridge that helps them pursue further education,” he said.
MASA President Blackson Malamula reaffirmed the association’s commitment to seeing local football thrive, stating that the partnership will create more opportunities for young players.
“We are fully committed to this initiative because it will ensure that young footballers not only develop their skills but also secure a brighter future through education,” Malamula said.
The five year agreement will be undergoing review every year to assess progress.
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