Football Association of Malawi President Walter Nyamilandu Manda says the newly launched FIFA /FAM Under 14 and 16 boys and girls developmental leagues will serve as a foundation for building successful national teams.

Nyamilandu said this during the official launch of the leagues at Mpira Stadium on Saturday morning.

He said the association wants to  develop Malawian football and ensure qualification for biggest competitions like the FIFA World Cup.

“We are laying a strong foundation so that we start producing good talent that can take Malawi Football forward, hence working with these children at a tender age so that we have best players in the future,” he added.

National Women’s Football Association Chairperson Adelaide Migogo said: “We are happy to see young players being produced from the grassroots so that we also avoid the issues of age cheating. We will keep the database so that we get the best from these youngsters so that one day, they will represent our Scorchers team.

“We are humbled and happy because this is a great achievement. Football should start at grassroots so that when these girls get mature, they should be able to coach others,” said Migogo.

In his remarks, Chairperson for National Football Association Tiyenkhu Chavula said “ I am now confident that we will see TNM super league teams coming to spot some players since there are now proper platforms in which these kids are going to be developed while still young.

The Boys league kicked off in June this year while the girls Leagues, which are funded by FIFA under the Women League Development Programme, will kick off in August.