Maziko Sports Academy says it has taken a bold step to facilitate player development and help get more scholarship for local athletes in the country.
Dr. Misheck Yagontha Munthali, one of the founding partners of Maziko Academy, says they intend to establish partnerships with various stakeholders to invest in young talent at the formative stages, making Malawian football more sophisticated and efficient.
He said: “As an academy, we want to build a business that is not just about football, it is about nurturing young talents while providing them with unforgettable experiences, and fostering their love for the game.”
The Academy plans are to become a strong brand in the next few years to come and this will be driven by their passion for youth development and the joy of witnessing these kids grow.
“It feels us with pride to see how far Ethel Tambala has come, one of our exceptional talents, who a few days ago played for Malawi National Schools under 15 girls’ team that recently took part in the CAF African Schools Championship COSAFA Qualifiers in Walvis Bay, Namibia from October 11 to 13.
According to him, after successful trials, Ethel, joined Ascent Soccer Academy from Maziko Sports Academy and now playing at international youth level, marking a significant milestone in her football journeys.
The Managing Director told ProjectM that as a platform for shaping the future of young and upcoming football stars in the country, there is a need for parents and guardians to send their children to Maziko Sports Academy to develop skills and create opportunities for them to grow and thrive both in sports and in life.
‘’In the next five years, we want to see these prolific young stars gain access to elite academies, seamlessly transitioning them from local stages to international platforms.
“Our mission is simple yet profound to discover talent, provide exposure and build pathways from grassroots football to professional leagues globally,’’ said Munthali.
He said establishing partnerships with various stakeholders in the country will help facilitate the much-needed transformation of local players that will also strengthen both the Scorchers and Men’s National team to ably compete and succeed at the global stage.
‘’Our colleagues in other countries are doing much better in their elite leagues as well as on the international stages because they joined hands by investing in player development system. We are also appealing to Companies, individuals and all soccer enthusiasts in the country to reach out to join and help us to shaping not only football stars, but well-rounded individuals ready to get life changing opportunities,’’ said Munthali.
Apart from Ethel Tambala who is cultivating a full-time education and football course with the Lilongwe based Ascent Soccer Academy, Maziko has also produced another exceptional young footballer named Ndaona Justin who recently joined FIFA-FAM Talent Development Scheme in Blantyre.
Meanwhile, another young footballer, Yankho Sambi who recently emerged best player in the Nthanda U-14 League in Zomba district, has since been shortlisted for the Eastern Region players list to contest for National selection in Dedza District.
Established in 2014, the Zomba-based Academy which is helping young talents become the best versions of themselves, has so many young talents for both U-14 and U-17 football teams, including boys and girls.
If indeed a lot of work is being invested to empower local academies and build a reputable which then serves as a platform for the talents to showcase their potential to the World, Maziko Sports Academy, will become one of the best community-based academies in Malawi in identifying and grooming young soccer talents in both sports, education, holistic discipline and character development.
For more information about Maziko Sports Academy, you may either contact Dr. Misheck
Yagontha Munthali on: +265 999 64 17 66 or Mr. Steven Lukhele on: +265 881 17 06 50
