Mpira Mmudzi Mwathu (MMM) with support from the UEFA Foundation for Children through LiiKe Sports and Development, over the week visited Goliati, Thyolo district, where they preached football basics.

The programme aimed to equip players and coaches with skills to use football to promote sports development and health education.

The training, held at Goliati Primary School, brought together 25 teachers and community coaches and 25 learners who received certificates after the training.

Speaking on Friday afternoon, director and Founder of Mpira Mmudzi Mwathu Chimango Munthali said during the training they came up with a branded approach to capacity building when it comes to football development.

They brought together sports teachers, community coaches and learners from Goliat Primary School and Goliat Secondary School.

“The whole idea is to make sure that at the end of the day we have got a group of young ones who are being mentored by established coaches, sports teachers in football development. But all of them should be properly trained on modern ways of developing, identifying and nurturing talent,” said Munthali.

The training first imparted the power of football, football as a tool for development, what it can do to individuals, what it can do to a community, what it can do to a country.

“Then we went into the technical aspect of it for people to appreciate the importance of understanding the technique, the tactical aspects of the game, the physical and mental, the psychological component of the game, which is also very key when it comes to football development. Then we wrapped it all with an opportunity for them to appreciate the laws of the game from an experienced coach,” he said.

MMM then donated a lot of equipment to the schools and the community for them to kick start this journey of developing and nurturing talent.

Some of the things they donated are footballs, boots, tracksuits, goals posts and nets, whistles, bibs, football and netball uniforms, referees uniforms and they also renovated two pitches. All these were bought in by Liike using the UEFA funds.

Primary Education Advisor for Goliat Zone, Christopher Nasenya said he is hoping that Goliat will now dominate in their Shire Highlands Education Division as previously they have failed to reach the final and win trophies.

“We have learnt skills, previously we were using 11 against 11, this time we have been told to have a fair play to have an equal number of four by four so that each learner can have time to learn football,” said Nasenya.