The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has commenced a nationwide elite referees training program aimed at improving officiating standards in the 2025 season.
The first phase of the training took place on Monday, April 21st, 2025 at Njakwa Village Lodge in Mzuzu, targeting elite referees from the Northern Region.
The programme is part of a broader initiative by FAM to improve match officiating through continuous capacity building.
FAM Executive Committee Member and Chairperson of the Referees Subcommittee, Patrick Kapanga, said the programmes aims at aligning with referees on expected standards as well as look at new developments in refereeing at the start of the new season
He added that the training follows a similar session held last week for match assessors at the FAM headquarters in Chiwembe and will proceed to the Central Region on April 24 in Salima before concluding in the Southern Region on April 29 at Mpira Village in Blantyre.
“These referees are on the elite list for this season. It is part of our commitment to capacity building and align with the Football Association of Malawi’s broader agenda of transforming the game. We are contributing to that transformation by ensuring referees are trained and guided by the laws of the game.”
As part of the initiative, FAM has also launched a Code of Conduct for Referees, a new document designed to guide officials in their duties both on and off the pitch.
Referees Manager Duncan Lengani hailed the development as a game-changer.
“This Code of Conduct is very important as it will guide referees in Malawi to operate professionally. This is a new concept we’ve introduced to ensure improved officiation this year and beyond,” he said.
Northern Region referee representative David Chinoko also spoke on behalf of the match officials, appreciating the timing and value of the training.
“This training is very important to us referees, especially as it comes at the start of the season.
“There are new amendments to the laws of the game and these sessions will sharpen our knowledge,” Chinoko said.
The training sessions are expected to benefit a total of 150 referees across the three regions.
