The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) today held its first-ever Team Doctors Capacity Building Workshop at Mpira Village in Blantyre, aimed at strengthening player welfare and advancing sports medicine within the country’s football structures.
The workshop brought together team doctors from Super League clubs, the National Division League, and the NBM Women’s Premiership, providing a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and professional development.
Speaking when he officially opened the session, FAM President Fleetwood Haiya said the initiative aligns with FAM’s Transforming the Game agenda, which prioritizes player health, safety, and performance.
“Football is a high-intensity sport that demands peak physical and mental fitness. Sports medicine plays a crucial role in preventing injuries and ensuring a safe and quick return to play,” said Haiya.
“This workshop is part of our mission to deepen understanding and improve medical management across the nation. We are here to transform the game.”
Haiya reaffirmed FAM’s commitment to promoting player welfare, emphasizing that footballers should no longer be viewed merely as performers but as individuals whose overall well-being drives the sport’s growth.
“Gone are the days when players were seen merely as football machines. We are taking deliberate steps to strengthen sports medicine in line with international standards and best practices,” he added.
Medical practitioner Dr. Chilungamo Chingwanda, who led the training, hailed the initiative as timely and impactful.
“We are here to share ideas on how best we can ensure players receive proper medical support. The FAM Medical Committee has also developed new guidelines to standardize care going forward,” he said.
FAM Medical Subcommittee representative Tiziona Banda commended the Association’s leadership for prioritizing medical development in football.
“Many players have previously suffered in silence due to poor medical management or fear of losing allowances when reporting injuries. This workshop is an important step in changing that culture,” he said.
Among the participants was FCB Nyasa Big Bullets team doctor, Dr. Sarai Nkhoma, who described the training as a game-changer.
“We have learnt what to do and when to do it to keep players fit and manage injuries effectively. The workshop has also strengthened collaboration among medical teams across clubs,” she said.
The workshop marks a significant milestone in FAM’s ongoing efforts to professionalize football medicine and enhance player welfare across all levels of the game.
