By Twimepoki Mangani:
The CAF African Schools Football Championship and COSAFA Zonal Qualifiers have officially opened by the CAF president Patrice Motsepe at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe which will run from 29-31 October.
Speaking during the opening ceremony President of Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe hailed the growth of football in Malawi and said the tournament among the schools will be a gateway that will enable development in various aspects.
“Football in Malawi is growing because we have a Minister and a President who supports football, I would also like to thank the deputy ministry of education because Football starts in schools, I believe we are going to see young players who will be the best.
“The money involved will be used to build infrastructure , football pitches, transport for development all this goes hand in hand with education because it will contribute to laboratories and libraries,” he said.
Motsepe also hailed FAM for the work being done around football in the country and expressed confidenc that a team from Africa will become champions of the world so day.
Minister of Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda appreciated the Motsepe Foundation for donating USD 10 Million to the FIFA-CAF Pan-African Schools football Championship which will help initiate and support the growth of football in schools.
“It’s a dream for the whole Africa by bringing resources and investing in sports and schools you are doing right. The government of the president of Malawi Lazurus Chakwera will work with CAF to ensure it is effective. The money is a huge boast and it cant be taken for granted.
The CAF president was accompanied by CAF general secretary Veron Mosengo- Omba and Cosafa President Artur de Almeida e Silva.
The minister extended an invitation to the Patrice Motsepe to Malawi during the region 5 games that will be held in December.
President of Footballl Association of Malawi (FAM) Walter Nyamilandu hailed the Governments of from the respective countries for allowing their students to participate as he promised to successful host the tournament.
“Today is a historical day since it’s the first time that the CAF president has visited Malawi and that we are hosting African Schools football compettetion for the first. This reunion between football and schools will take African Football forward and we shall cease this opportunity.
The winners will pocket 100,000 USD ( approximately MK100 million) while the second place will win 75 ,000 USD and 50,000 USD for the third place.
Also participating are schools from Comoros, SeychellesAngola Botswana and Malawi.Results from the first day saw the side fr Angola Rosinha boys school win 2-0 against IQRA School from Comoros while for the ladies team Malawi’s Malindi Secondary School defeated Edendale Technical from South Africa 1-0.
