By Twaha Chimuka

The Football Association of Malawi’s (FAM) President, Walter Nyamilandu, announced that the association will approach companies in the hope of convincing them to sponsor a competition for reserve (developmental) teams only.

Nyasa Big Bullets Football Club Reserve has recently been tormenting other teams in Malawi football’s lower leagues by scoping all titles available for the past three years, particularly in the south where the team plays, a development that has prompted many football fans, analysts, and administrators to call for
a system review.

Speaking after the Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve won the southern region championship for the third time,
Nyamilandu said he understood the public’s outcry and that the association will work with corporate sponsors to sponsor a league for the Reserves.

“As an association, we are weighing out options on how best to handle this issue considering that many teams in the country do not have strong reserve teams, and some even do not have them completely, but we’re going to talk to different companies, we are going to give them the proposals, and then we will see what happens next, but we are optimistic that a sponsor will come,” said Nyamilandu.

“And keep in mind that this new competition will have to be managed by the Super League of Malawi, so the new sponsor we’re talking about here will have to collaborate with the SULOM sponsor for a better league package and the smooth operation of both competitions,” he added.

Currently, a handful of Super League teams have notable developmental teams, with Nyasa Big Bullets, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, Civo Sporting Football Club, Silver Strikers, Blue Eagles, Kamuzu Barracks, and Karonga United among the teams with reserve sides.

Commenting on the matter Nyasa Big Bullets Football Club administration officer Albert Chigoga said the development will improve the standards of the game in the country if the association manages to get sponsors, as it will give teams room to have strong squads and also help in developing grassroots football in the country.

“There are talented players who show signs of becoming better football players at a tender age. We need those to be recognized so they can be trained and tamed to develop a good football squad and the country. These can also create a better opportunity to be able to export players elsewhere,” said Chigoga.