PSI Malawi donates 350 balls to National Youth Football
PSI Malawi donated 350 balls football to the Football Associaition of Malawi (FAMA) and the National Youth Football Committee on Tuesday at Chiwembe Technical Centre worth about K5 million as one way of supporting development of football among the youth in the country.
Speaking after the presentation ceremony, PSI director of malaria and child survival programmes Charles Yuma said the donation was part of the ‘United against Malaria’ campaign which has also attracted global superstar footballers such as Lionel Messi and Didier Drogba while Robert ‘Baggio’ Ng’ambi is Malawi’s campaign ambassador..
“These footballs are designed for the youth. We appreciate the efforts by the Football Association of Malawi and the National Youth Football Committee in the development of Football in Malawi and l hope this donation will go a long way in developing talent at the grassroots level. At the same time, we want our youth to be responsible and play their part in the fight against Malaria,” he said.
“We are involved in malaria control campaigns as one of our major programmes. PSI is also involved in the distribution of mosquito nets as part of the campaign,” said Yuma.
“The United against malaria campaign builds on football and was aligned to the 2010 World Cup to increase the use of prevention tools and malaria treatment in Africa. This campaign is on-going. In fact if you are following the COSAFA tournament currently underway in Zambia, United Against Malaria banners are being used and visibly displayed to achieve the above objectives,” he said.
FAM general Secretary Sugzo Nyirenda hailed PSI Malawi for the donation and urged National Youth Football Committee to distribute the balls fairly without any team complaining.
National Youth Football Committee general secretary Alfred Lungu praised PSI Malawi for coming with the balls at the right time when most youth teams in the country are lacking resources like balls.
He said the donation will help in unearthing hidden talents from the youths who in future will be competitive for the Flames selection.
