Fifa approves introduction of U-14 national league

The world

football governing body, Fifa, has approved FAM technical panel’s proposal to introduce an Under-14 national league and to form the first-ever national team for the age group.

According to FAM technical director John Kaputa, setting up of structures for the football development programme in the country’s cities of Blantyre, Zomba, Lilongwe and Mzuzu will start next year.

He said the initiative is aimed at nurturing and monitoring young talent through proper development stages up to the mature stages where they can be roped into the Super League and selected for the senior national football team.

Kaputa added that they will hold a series of courses in the next five months to prepare coaches, players, football administrators and other stakeholders on how to set up the initiative.

“We are pleased to reveal that Fifa has approved our plan to set up the junior leagues. It will help us build a new generation of players that will be going through the proper development stages to improve the standards of our beloved sport,” he said.

The establishment of under-14 leagues nationwide was among the resolutions FAM made in Salima at its fourth executive committee meeting for 2013.