National Bank of Malawi (NBM) Championship has been officially launched at Mangochi Stadium with Football Association of Malawi (FAM) applauding the bank for the financial backing.
FAM president Fleetwood Haiya said the Under-23 initiative will not only unearth talent from the grassroots but replenish opportunities for young players.
“This sponsorship will help us expose up-and-coming players to very competitive football and provide a platform for top clubs to identify and scout promising talents,” he said.
“This league will help to bridge that we had in our football system as we had the Under-20 national league but did not have another national competition to give graduates of the youth league platform to further sharpen their skills before getting into the elite league.
He also urged football administrators at district and regional levels to ensure the age limit of the league is strictly adhered to, saying age cheating will not be tolerated.
NBM Plc chief risk officer Charles Ulaya said the bank is committed to youth empowerment through the K500 million league.
“We believe in youth empowerment as the future of the country is in their hands. They should be fit and healthy to effectively contribute to national development,” he said.
The launch match saw Mangochi All Stars beating Chawe Bullets 2-0.
The league, which aims at nurturing and developing talents from the grassroots level, is competed in 31 football districts with each comprising 16 teams.
The launch started with a trophy parade before Haiya and Ulaya declared the kickick-off
FAM second vice-president Lameck Zetu Khonje and executive committee members Felista Dossi and Daudi Mtanthiko, were also present alongside Super League of Malawi (Sulom) president Gilbert Mittawa, FAM exEastern Region Football Association chairperson Issa Ibrahim and Southern Region Football Association chairperson Dyles Kachala.
