World football governing body, Fifa president Gianni Infantino is set to pay a courtesy visit the south-east sub-Saharan nation, Malawi for the first time since he ascended to power Tuesday to inspect some football development in the country.
Infantino’s visit is a result of an invite made by Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Fleetwood Haiya when he met the world football governing body’s leader in Saudi Arabia last December just soon after he was elected into office.
In an interview Haiya said: “Last December when I got elected as (FAM) president, the FIFA president invited me to meet him in Saudi Arabia and it was there where I humbly asked him to visit Malawi.
“I invited him to Malawi last year, I am glad that the Fifa president has responded favourably, and he is visiting us for the first time on Tuesday, June 11. This is a great honour for us. We appreciate the FIFA president’s visit.”
Whilst in the country, Infantino was expected Malawi’s state President Lazarus Chakwera but is it doubtful the meeting will not take place as according to presidential press secretary Anthony Kasunda said The President will not be available during that period.
In November 2019, Infantino was also expected to visit the country, but the trip was cancelled at the eleventh hour reportedly because his plane could not land at the then partially closed Chileka International Airport in Blantyre for security and safety reasons.
Fifa spokesperson Alois Hug have confirmed Infantino’s visit.
FIFA’s statutory objective is to improve the game constantly and promote it globally.
FIFA exists to govern football and to develop the game around the world. Since 2016, the organisation has been fast evolving into a body that can more effectively serve our game for the benefit of the entire world.
FIFA supports the 211 member associations financially and logistically through various programs.
Infantino is visiting Malawi exactly 22 years after former FIFA president Sepp Blatter visited the country who at that time enjoyed from support from football associations across the developing world which was bolstered by his Goal project, which sought to deliver millions of dollars to improve facilities ands Malawi benefited from that project.
“I am glad that the Fifa president has responded favourably, and he is visiting us..”
Fleetwood Haiya
Football Association of Malawi President
