By Beni Bamusi

Thyolo, April 6, Mana: Thyolo District Sports Office has provided CAF-D coaching lessons to 58 coaches from various parts of the district with an aim of developing football in the district.

Addressing the participants at Adolorata Secondary School on Friday, Thyolo District Commissioner, Hudson Kuphanga, expressed excitement with the development saying it will develop football in the district since the coaches have acquired expertise that will be imparted to players in their localities.

He said there is need for introduction of leagues and cups in the district for the skills acquired to be challenged and consolidated.

Kuphanga said he will ask the corporate community in the district for sponsorship in the leagues and bonanzas.

“As we are developing other sectors, we have not neglected sports. Tea estates and banks in the district have been helping us and we will ask them again to help in football development,” he said.

He said with the nearly completed stadium, the district needs to have a league which will in turn bring funds to the Council.

Thyolo District Sports Officer, Olga Mlambe, said his office organized the training after identifying a gap where there were no professional coaches in the district which she described as hindrance to the growth of football in the district.

Mlambe has called for support of various materials such as balls, football jerseys and other football kits that will help the coaches executing the acquired skills.

“We have provided them with skills, but there is more to be done. My office is, therefore, calling upon well-wishers to provide us with these materials that will assist in implementing the skills the coaches have acquired,” she said.   

Fatsani Chisale, one of the participants from Mapanga Secondary School, was thankful for the training saying it has provided them with new skills to help in their profession as coaches.

Out of the 58 coaches, 44 are primary and secondary school teachers while the rest are social club coaches from the district.