Nyamilandu Academy built on FC Barcelona model

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu has said his newly-established football academy will follow the setup of Spanish giants FC Barcelona.

During launch of the Walter Nyamilandu Football Academy at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre yesterday, the FAM boss said he believes the Barcelona philosophy is the way to go for the academy to realise its dream of moulding export-quality stars.

Nyamilandu said: “We will develop the academy the Barcelona way. We would like to inculcate the Barcelona culture into this academy. That is why we have roped in legends such as Joseph Kamwendo [one of the academy’s coach].”

According to Barça Academy website, Barcelona academy’s objective is to provide boys and girls aged between six and 18 comprehensive training environment.

It states that “this method of schooling, exported to the rest of the world, attempts to extend their own particular model, based on the Barça methodology which includes a creative and attacking brand of football and the promotion of positive values such as respect, effort, ambition, teamwork and modesty”.

On the sustainability of his academy, whose slogan is ‘Arise and Shine’, Nyamilandu said he is running it with personal resources, but he is working on getting serious international partners.

He said, the academy run on non-residential basis at Country Club Limbe, will as well offer academic and vocational training to the youth.

“This is a project very close to my heart. It mirrors the success of my life. All football powerhouse in the world have strong football foundations and I believe this would be my personal contribution to the country,” said Nyamilandu, who was accompanied by his parents.

The academy’s trustee and Nyamilandu’s sister Dr Lucinda Taylor said they believe the initiative will help Malawian children learn, develop and grow the game of football.

Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture director of football Kinnah Phiri and Blantyre City mayor Wild Ndipo applauded Nyamilandu for the initiative and they urged others to emulate the gesture.

A total of 25 players have been identified and enrolled at the academy after a rigorous process, which involved a tournament played in Blantyre last month.

The launch activities of the academy included an exhibition match between the Walter Nyamilandu Academy and Play Football Academy from Lilongwe.

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