The Government of Japan has handed over 36 footballs donated by the Japan Football Association (JFA) to the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) as part of efforts to support football development in the country.
The handover ceremony took place on Friday at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan, where Ambassador Naito Yasushi said the donation symbolises the longstanding bilateral relations between Japan and Malawi.
“The donation from the Japan Football Association serves not only to support football development in Malawi, but also as a symbol of the longstanding bilateral relations between Japan and Malawi,” said Naito.
He highlighted previous football exchanges between the two countries, including the deployment of Japanese coach Kosuke Shimabukuro, who served as a JICA volunteer with FAM from 2023 to 2025, supporting elite women football players.
“Malawi is the largest recipient of JICA volunteers worldwide, and I am pleased to share that this year marks 55 years since JICA commenced the dispatch of volunteers to Malawi,” he said.
Naito also acknowledged the contributions of Genki Nakamura, the first Japanese footballer to play in Malawi with Be Forward Wanderers, now Mighty Wanderers, in 2016, as well as Jabulani Linje, who played in Japan’s professional football league, the J League, in 2018.
He said such exchanges reflect the growing sports ties between Japan and Malawi.
FAM President Fleetwood Haiya hailed the Government of Japan and the Japan Football Association for the support, saying the donation will strengthen grassroots development programmes and help nurture future football talent across the country.
“As FAM, we deeply appreciate Japan’s continued commitment to football development in Malawi. Beyond this donation, we look forward to expanding our partnership through exchange programmes, including opportunities for the Flames and Scorchers to play international friendlies against Japanese national teams to gain valuable exposure and experience,” said Haiya.
“We also hope to see internship opportunities for our technical and secretariat staff in Japan, allowing them to learn from one of the world’s leading football systems. Together, we will continue building bridges of friendship, developing football and transforming the game,” he added.
