Football Associations of Malawi will from today hold a four-day Talent Development Scheme (TDS) training sessions at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre.

TDS is a FIFA funded program that aims harmonizing football development across the 211 FIFA Member Associations and FAM applied to specifically develop future elite league and national team players.

Lunched in 2023, the program is set to help produce quality players for the Flames through a structured player development pathway.

In the pilot phase of the program, FAM identified talented players between 15-20 years old who have been together for a 5-day camping every month.  The players undergo individual and team trainings before playing friendly games on the final day of each camp.

About 27 players from 10 southern region districts were identified to form the developmental squad for the pilot phase and five of them have now graduated. Haji Steven, Shabil Mohammed and Edward Thengo have been taken by FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves while Precious Kwalenga is now with Mighty Wakawaka Tigers. Phillip Hau is will be leaving for the United States of America for a Scholarship in August.

TDS Manager Anderson Kamanga says 13 players have been identified from the districts to undergo trials over the weekend where five of them will be selected to replace those who have gradated.

Second phase of FIFA TDS is expected to be launched in at Luwinga Technical Center in Mzuzu this year.