Makata Primary crowned BT Urban FAM U-14 Champs
Makata Primary School have taken the Blantyre Urban crown in the FAM/Education Ministry Under-14 Inter-City Schools League after beating Namiwawa Primary School through post-match penalties after a one-all draw at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday.
For their glory, Makata, who received 10 soccer balls as their first prizes, have qualified for the national finals scheduled for Lilongwe later this year.
Makata’s captain Oscar Khulumula put his side ahead with an easy tap-in in the 68th minute before Namiwawa restored parity through Gift Banda eight minutes later to send the game into the dreaded spot-kicks.
Lucius Edward, MedsonKassam, Gift Jossam and William Jossam converted their penalties for Makata while Harrison Kapata was the only scorer for Namiwawa. Mike Kanjedza’s penalty got saved before DemesterBhima’s strike hit the woodwork.
In the third-placed match, Nkolokoti Primary beat Chimaliro Primary 2-1.
According to Malawi Schools Sports Association (Massa) Blantyre Urban chairperson Frank Mkhalipi, 30 schools from Ndirande, Chilomoni, Zingwangwa, South Lunzu, Limbe and Bangwe education zones joined the competition.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu said they introduced the competition in partnership with the Ministry of Education in order to improve soccer development in the country.
“We needed a proper primary school events to develop interest and skills in the youth. Previously, we had no clear-cut soccer programme that could nurture future Flames stars,” he said.
FAM injected K4 million into the event while the Ministry of Education put in K3 million. Nyamilandu said they would pump in an additional K3 million for the national finals.
