FAM/Fifa to roll out U-15 leagues

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) in conjunction with Fifa is set to roll out Under-15 leagues in the country at the end of this month.

FAM technical director John Kaputa said the junior leagues will be launched in 16 districts on a pilot phase.

He said the identified districts in the Central and Eastern Regions are expected to come with Under-15 select sides that will compete in a league on home and away basis.

“Currently we have already identified and communicated to the coaches that are going to scout talents for the Under-15 select teams in their respective districts. The head coaches are those that hold the CAF ‘A’ license course and will be assisted by those with FAM ‘C’ license,” Kaputa said.

He said FAM will also work with the Malawi Schools Sports Association (Massa) and hinted that the eligible players could even be those that dropped out of school.

He added that FAM will also train Under-15 referees to officiate the games and said 80 of them have already been identified. They are expected to start training course from August 24 to 29 at Chiwembe Technical Centre in Blantyre.

“FAM will be responsible for food and accommodation, transport as well as paying the coaches and the referees during the preparations and the games. At the end of everything, we are going to evaluate the whole exercise to see whether we have made progress,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fifa is expected to distribute sports paraphernalia to FAM for the Under-15 teams on August 24 2015.