Malawi’s football association banks on Scottish deal
Malawi has struck a football development deal with the Scottish Government, a move Football Association of Malawi (FAM) hopes could unlock massive football opportunities for Malawi, including providing expatriate coaches for the Flames.
During President Joyce Banda’s visit on Sunday, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond announced his government’s approval of increased aid projects to Malawi in 15 projects, including football development valued at £4 920 106 (about K3 billion) for the 2013/14 – 2015/16 period.
“I am particularly pleased to announce a new football partnership with Malawi which will see young people benefit from a joint coaching programme and will involve piloting Scotland’s successful School of Football programme with a school in Malawi,” Salmond said in a statement from the Malawi State House Press Office.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu yesterday welcomed the partnership.
“We were consulted on the concept which we found to be noble. Having lost the English FA in 2010, this has come at an opportune time. We stand to train our coaches overseas. This programme is about the development of football at the grass roots in schools and rural areas. I don’t think the arrangement goes as far as that [Flames expatriate coaches]. But if that opportunity exists, we can always exploit it. Why not?” he said.
FAM has in the past benefited from the services of Flames’ expatriate coaches whose perks were subsidised by their governments such as Kim Splidsboel (Denmark), Michael Hennigan and Alan Gillet (England).
FAM recently hinted on hiring an expatriate coach for the Flames. The post is currently under caretaker coach Eddington Ng’onamo who is being assisted by Ernest Mtawali and Patrick Mabedi.
Under the deal with Scotland, the two countries shall also be exploring the possibility of creating a school of football in Malawi based on the Scottish model and which will be linked to a school in Scotland.
“This is an exciting Commonwealth Games legacy project that will extend beyond the life of the games and see the exchange of skills and knowledge between our two countries. It will also provide an excellent opportunity to develop future sporting links using the Games to strengthen and empower communities in
Scotland and the Commonwealth,” added the press release.
