Teveta in landmark football project
Domestic footballers, often the sight of ridicule after retirement, have hope for a better life after football following the launch of a skills development programme on Saturday.
Inside the Sports Council boardroom, the Footballers Association of Malawi unveiled a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Technical Entreprenuership and Vocational Training (Teveta).
Under the agreement, Teveta will facilitate short-term intensive skills training programmes for footballers at a ‘reasonable fee’ to make them either employable or entreprenuers.
Teveta senior training programme specialist Lucy Yekha told a gathering of present and past footballers such as Sydney Chingeni, Gilbert Chirwa, Ojukwu Malunga, Joseph Gatros, Mzee Josam, Thom Milanzi, Reggie Karim, Ganizani Malunga and Chikondi Banda, that all was not lost for them.
“The certificate you are to obtain specifies what you have specialised in and not only that, what you are competent in. You can go to the technical colleges, but their certificates are too general. These short-term courses are more effective as they are intensive, streamlined and can empower you so easily,” Yekha explained.
The programme is expected to run for three months in fields such as welding, carpentry and mechanics.
The players association administrator Nelson Mphande expressed gratitude to Teveta. He said the association will meet the cost of hiring trainers, learning centre and certification.
Sports Council board member Dean Pinto, who was guest of honour, promised to support the initiative. The function was also attended by Football Association of Malawi president Walter Nyamilandu and Super League of Malawi’s Gift Mkandawire.
“Let us be grateful that football, despite all the challenges you face, offered us a platform which we can use to get employment or advance our businesses. I personally promise to take responsibility and ensure that this is a success,” said Pinto, who gave the association a K50 000 starter-pack.
After the launch, Blantyre United and Big Bullets met in a friendly match to mark the occasion at Kamuzu Stadium. Bullets won the match 3-0.
