Surestream academy ready next month

The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) technical director Jack Chamangwana is optimistic the Surestream Football Academy will roll out next month.

Chamangwana is optimistic following the completion of renovations of the academy’s base at MDC Stadium in Chilomoni Township, Blantyre.

“What remains is the rehabilitation of actual pitch; otherwise, the rest of the areas have been completed,” said Chamangwana.

The stadium will be a fulcrum for the academy’s main activity—a primary school national league. Targeted are players for Under-10, Under-12, Under-14 and Under-16.

“Matches will be played at centres across the three regions in districts such as Blantyre, Lilongwe, Kasungu and Mzimba,” said Chamangwana.

“During school holidays, we will select the best from the school league and drill them at the academy,” he said.

Alfred Mungomo, supervisor for Kaliyeka Building Contractors, who are renovating the stadium, recently told The Nation that they hoped to complete the work by September.

British firm Surestream, which is exploring oil on Lake Malawi, is funding the project to the tune of K40 million in the initial phase. The second phase will include laying of an artificial turf on the pitch.

The renovations have restored the stadium, which for many years was desolate and in dilapidated state. Flood lights are working, the dressing rooms and the wooden VIP seats are in order. A western side fence which collapsed was rebuilt.