The academy, a non-resident project with its slogan ‘Arise and Shine’ will be driven by three pillars:

.Total development through structured coaching and training methods

.Offer academic and vocational training to the youth

. Spiritual growth to inculcate a culture of discipline that realizes that football and life are God given gifts to mankind to glorify His creation.

The academy, which has been operating on a non-residential basis at Country Club Limbe, has 25 players, enrolled after a rigorous process.

Nyamilandu, who is Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president, was over the moon when the academy was being launched on Saturday at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre, boasting that the academy will be modeled on the Barcelona football club way, after the famous Spanish football club in which Argentian star Lionel Messi plays for.

“We would like to inculcate the Barcelona culture into this academy,” said Nyamilandu who is using personal resources to run the academy.

He said the academy was “very close to my heart…it mirrors the success of my life.”

He said he believed this will be his personal contribution to the country.

Top officials who graced the opening ceremony were Blantyre city mayor Wild Ndipo, and football legend Kinnah Phiri, director in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.