All set for Surestream Academy launch

FAM and representatives of Surestream Petroleum have said all is set for the grand launch of the football academy tomorrow [Thursday] at Surestream Stadium [formerly MDC Stadium] in Blantyre.

Surestream has pledged to bankroll the project to the tune of $400 000 [about K126 million].

The academy’s ambassador Peter Mponda who is also Flames captain, said they are expecting high-profile figures such as the First Gentleman retired Chief Justice Richard Banda, Youth and Sports Minister Enoch Chihana, management of Surestream, senior government officials and FAM executive members to grace the event.

“We are finalising the logistics, we expect to have the First Gentleman as the guest of honour, but that will be subject to confirmation.

“The Sports Minister, senior government officials as well as senior FAM officials are also expected to grace the occasion,” said Mponda.

Mponda also said they have lined up a number of activities, including a ceremonial bonanza that will involve under-15 players.

“The bonanza will start in the morning while the actual launch ceremony will be held in the afternoon.

“From the group of young boys, we will choose the cream that will be part of the academy as we go on,” said Mponda.

FAM technical director Jack Chamangwana also said all is set for the event.

“We are just working on the final touches. Otherwise, all is set for the function.

“It is an important function as it will be the stepping stone towards identifying and nurturing young talent in the country,” said Chamangwana.

During the announcement of the project in April this year, the petroleum firm’s general manager for Malawi Keith Robinson said the company does not expect to benefit anything from the joint venture, but hoped that it would help develop the game to greater heights so that the country is able to produce world-class players in the mould of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

“We have a licence to explore oil. We have been here since last October and as part of our involvement, we have set up social activities and one of these involvements will be to assist FAM in setting up a football academy,” said Robinson.