Football Association of Malawi (FAM) says it has engaged an extra gear to help break barriers that women’s football faces in the country.

Speaking during the launch of the Fifa Women’s Football Campaign in the Southern Region at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre on Saturday, FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said it is high time women’s football is promoted as it has better chances of qualifying for the World Cup than men’s football.

He said FAM has since started the recruitment process of women’s football manager, whose priority will be strategising on how to attract corporate support.

Unlike men’s football, women’s football in the country hardly enjoys support from the corporate world as it relies on Fifa/FAM-funded competitions.

Said Nyamilandu: “We need to break the barrier by letting everybody understand that football is not only for men. Let the girls have the belief that they can also play and enjoy the game.

“Football also needs to be played by girls in common places such as at schools during break time as boys do. If we are able to spread the message and intensify girls’ participation at grassroots level while at home or schools, we have good chances of becoming a number one nation as regards women’s football.”

Malawi women’s football legends Maggie Chombo-Sadiki and Linda Kasenda, who offered motivational talks to young girls during the launch, said they are happy that playing women’s football is now recognised as a career following the exploits of Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, who have made names in overseas leagues.

National Women’s Football Association (NWFA) chairperson Adelaide Migogo said FAM’s campaign is in line with their vision to make women’s football successful in the country.

The Fifa campaign aims to increase the number of women and girls playing football around the world by promoting the game, creating awareness and empowering girls through football in a friendly and safe environment. At Mpira Stadium, the campaign was spiced up by Under-17 girls matches involving Ntopwa, Bedir Academy, Green Birds, Eastern Elephant, The First Girls and Blasco.

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