Football Association of Malawi (FAM) yesterday unveiled Fifa technical coach Thabo Senong to take charge of Luwinga Inclusive Academy.
During the ceremony, FAM president Fleetwood Haiya said Senong, who is a South African, has shown commitment to transform football in the country.
He said: “This development is part of what we promised in our manifesto and strategic plan. This is the implementation of what was promised and what is in our strategic plan. We are talking about development of grassroots football and also export strategy.
“When I assumed office, I promised that one of my priorities was to look into grassroots and make Luwinga Inclusive Academy operational. I can tell you that the academy is now operational and has 42 children, including 15 girls and 27 boys and today we are unveiling Senong who will oversee the facility.”
Haiya thanked Fifa for helping to set up the academy and employing Senong.
He said the fact that the Under 15 girls team has qualified for the CAF Championship is evidence that Malawi has talent.
“I believe through this academy, we will nurture more and more talent. My vision is to see the country not only export more talent but qualify for every edition of Afcon,” said Haiya.
In his speech Senong said the fact that Malawi has produced great players such Ernest Mtawali, Patrick Mabedi, Esau Kanyenda and Robert Baggio Ng’ambi is evidence of abundant talent in the country.
He said: “We know that naturally the talent is there. It is just a matter of nurturing and supporting that talent to grow. I am happy to be part of football development in the country. I must congratulate FAM for its aggression to push Fifa to support them in youth development.
“It was a FAM iniative and not Fifa forcing themselves to support FAM. So, FAM’s vision aligns well with Fifa of using football to promote education and youth development. All the top footballlling countries are doing well because of the foundation they have at youth level and the education they gave to their talents at an early age.”
He said Fifa objective in Malawi and Africa as a whole is to accelerate the talent at an early age using the Technical Development Scheme which is the brainchild of Arsene Wenger who is the Chief of Football Development at Fifa.
