Youth body plans for sound football system

The National Youth Football Association (NYFA) says it is working on its maiden strategic plan whose key focus will be to improve the national football team’s performance.

The association’s chairperson Oswald Lungu said this during the NYFA annual general meeting (AGM) held in Salima on Saturday where delegates discussed a range of issues, including finances and governance.

Lungu said the strategic plan, the association’s first since its inception, is expected to be effective in the next four years starting from 2021.

He acknowledged that football cannot improve at top level if youth programmes are not effective.

“Through the strategic plan, we want to share our dream with FAM and other stakeholders. We would like to analyse the tactical abilities of the players at youth level and how we can improve their attacking and defending,” Lungu said.

“If we lay a foundation, we believe that in the next five years we will have national teams that are unbeatable.”

He further said that the they are carrying out thorough consultations to produce an effective strategic plan.

“We will engage coaches and other technical people during formulation and execution of the plan. We can learn from countries like France and Germany. Why are these teams always shining on big stages? They have got systems at youth level. That is what we also want,” he said.

It was noted during the AGM that youth football has many challenges, especially lack of equipment.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) youth football development officer James Sangala said to improve football at grass-roots level, there is a need for more resources.

“The youth need balls and uniforms if we are to inspire them and improve their performances. We will lobby for more support from the FAM leadership,” he said.