By Duncan Mlanjira
Between 2020 to 2023, Walter Nyamilandu Manda pledges to have established and empowered Beach Soccer Secretariat once entrusted to retain the seat as Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president ahead of the elective general assembly scheduled for Mangochi on December 14.
Malawi national beach soccer team in action
at an international tournament
“Beach Soccer a contemporary football platform is key to enhance the promotion of football to all sectors of the society. I will use Beach Soccer to foster the love of the game of football,” said Nyamilandu on Thursday evening at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre under the theme, ‘Raise the Bar’.
“FAM shall introduce up to K5 million subvention to Beach Soccer Association to sustain its programs and the secretariat and this is on top of the annual FIFA funding that goes towards the beach sport.
“In pursuit of promoting Beach Soccer as a relevant football platform, competitive championships will be vital. I will encourage participation and interest from sponsors and different stakeholders to the game of football through Beach Soccer.”
He said under his leadership, FAM shall champion the introduction of Summer Beach Soccer Championships in the Lakeshore Districts of Mangochi (Southern Region); Salima (Central) and Nkhata Bay in the North where he will establish Beach Soccer mini stadia.
Malawian refs
“It is time to put conceited efforts in promoting Beach Soccer in the cities away from the lakeside. Beach Soccer is not played in the lakeside places only, it is a contemporary soccer platform and it merges effectively with the lifestyles or social lovers in the cities.
“FAM, with partners, will establish a Beach Soccer mini stadium in Lilongwe, at Mtandire Technical Center and will partner with various sports clubs in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu in erecting Beach soccer pitches.
“FAM will erect beach soccer pitches in all its technical centers across the country.”
Benardettar Kwimbira (left), Malawi’s top female
ref
Referees and coaches development is another subject under Raise the Bar theme as they, with the right technical know how, requisite skill set and equipped with appropriate tools will enhance their performance and conduct their duties with the highest level of integrity and professionalism to the extent of attracting the attention and respect of international partners.
“We look forward to ensuring that our coaches and referees are marketable and accredited in Malawi and beyond.
“FAM shall champion the partnership with colleges and universities in Malawi to introduce a curriculum on football game officiating, specialized football coaching such as physical fitness, goalkeeping among others.
“FAM shall identify high performing coaches and referees that are ready and committed to RaisingTheBar in Malawian football and send them on attached visits to countries with well-developed football standards
“FAM shall support the Referees Fitness Programs by encouraging them to access the Gym at FAM premises for free.
With partners, FAM shall give Referees uniforms for those graduating after going through scheduled trainings by FAM and shall roll out a project to train referees and coaches in primary as well as secondary schools.