NRFA for Luwinga Centre completion
Re-elected Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) Chairperson Lameck Khonje has asked Football Association of Malawi (Fam) to ensure that Luwinga Technical Centre is operational.
Construction of the facility, which is one of Fifa’s projects aimed to promote sports in the country, started in 2008 and is yet to be fully completed.
Khonje took advantage of Fam official’s presence at the association’s elective general assembly in Mzuzu on Sunday to make the call.
In his acceptance speech after being given another mandate to govern football in the region, Khonje pleaded with Fam to prioritise the facility so that it helps in developing football across the region.
During a budget consultative meeting with its affiliates in Salima last month, Fam announced that the centre would get K118 million.
“Luwinga Technical Centre remains a matter of the heart. It is unfortunate that, since 2014, there has not been any development worth pointing at. Completion of the centre is a matter of great concern to us.
“We will keep pushing Fam to complete this facility within four years. We want to see it in full operation. This centre should be used for developing talent that will help teams that are representing the region in the TNM Super League,” he said.
Fam Executive Member Muhammed Selemani, who was returning officer for the elections, said there was willingness to see the centre in full operation.
“We are committed to supporting the facility. This is an issue which is discussed in every meeting.” Selemani said.
Fam offered the facility to Ministry of Health to be used as an isolation centre for Covid patients but it was vandalised after surrounding communities violently disagreed with the move.
Meanwhile, Khonje said NRFA is contemplating creating space for a team from Likoma District this season.
“We want to challenge Sulom [Super League of Malawi] by producing a team for Super League promotion from Likoma. This would be a first in the history of football in the country. Teams from Likoma and Chizumulu islands have been neglected for far too long and it is now time to give them the chance to shine,” Khonje said.
He said there was a need for a stadium in Nkhata Bay which could be used as home ground for Likoma teams that would join the Simama and Sons Premier League.
