In its dire quest to amplify the quality of football and continue building a modern, competitive, and sustainable football ecosystem the country’s soccer governing body, The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has unveiled its new Technical Director, Frenchman Yvon Avry, who joins the fray with strong confidence and high expectations.
Unveiled by FAM President Fleetwood Haiya at Mpira Village, Avry brings a wealth of international experience as a UEFA-qualified educator, former FIFA Technical Consultant and Instructor, and a seasoned technical expert who has shaped coaching structures in several countries.
“Today marks yet another important milestone in our continued journey of Transforming the Game in Malawi,” said President Haiya.
“The Technical Directorate is the heartbeat of any football association. It is the engine room that shapes the future of the game — by nurturing grassroots talent, strengthening coach education, and establishing a sustainable pathway for football development.”
Haiya stressed that Malawi’s long-term football success lies in the villages, communities, schools, and informal playing grounds across the country, noting that solid technical leadership is essential in unlocking the nation’s potential.
On coach education, he emphasized the urgent need to elevate coaching standards: “We cannot develop quality players without quality coaches. The modern game demands professionalism, technical depth and continuous learning.”
Added Haiya: “Malawi must develop a new generation of well-trained and internationally certified coaches. An empowered coach is a multiplier of talent.”
He added that football development must be holistic: “Our vision is clear — to develop sustainable national teams that qualify consistently and compete proudly on the international stage.
“This requires linking grassroots structures, youth development, elite pathways, sports science, women’s football, beach soccer, refereeing, and club development.”
Haiya said Avry will play a key role in strengthening technical planning, performance analysis, talent identification, and long-term development systems, ensuring all national teams — from the Flames to the Scorchers, U17s, U20s, academies and community programmes — follow one philosophy and one football identity.
Avry, a highly qualified French technician with a UEFA A Diploma, has served in several prestigious roles, including FIFA Technical Consultant, Technical Director of Brunei Darussalam, and Technical Advisor for the Fédération Malagasy de Football.
“Today, he becomes part of the Malawi football family,” Haiya said, while also paying tribute to outgoing Technical Director Benjamin Kumwenda, whom he applauded for modernising youth structures, advancing coaching systems, and strengthening technical frameworks.
“His dedication and expertise have contributed immensely to the progress we see today.”
Haiya said FAM is confident that Avry will build on this foundation and take Malawi’s technical development “to even greater heights”.
As he accepted the role, Avry pledged to support the Transformation Agenda fully: “What is important is to start from the foundation, which is the grassroots, and build something strong for Malawi.
“I am here to bring my expertise and help move the game forward.,” he said.
“Our vision is clear — to develop sustainable national teams that qualify consistently and compete.”
