(By Vinjeru Ngwira)
The Luwinga Technical Centre in Mzuzu will officially open on Friday, December 13, 2024, marking a significant milestone for football development in Malawi. This comes nearly nine years after the facility was handed over to the Football Association of Malawi (FAM).
Years of neglect left the centre in disrepair, but it has now been restored through FIFA’s Inclusive Football Academy project. The initiative, funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and implemented in partnership with Play International and the Diambars Institute, aims to support youth football development.
The academy, a first of its kind in Malawi, has already enrolled 27 boys and 15 girls from across the country. FAM president Fleetwood Haiya will preside over the opening ceremony.
FAM technical director Benjamin Kumwenda emphasized the academy’s role in grooming young talent to strengthen both youth and senior national teams.
Northern Region Football Association general secretary Masiya Nyasulu expressed his enthusiasm, describing the centre’s opening as a critical step forward for football in the region.