Zomba city Mayor, Christopher Jana has described the coming back of Football and Netball Mayors Trophy initiative in the city as a step forward in the development of football on grassroots level.

Jana said this on Thursday at Zomba police Mess Ground, during the awards presentation to the primary schools that have done well in the City’s Mayor’s trophy competition.

The trophy, which attracted primary schools from Zomba city was sponsored by FDH bank at a tune of K10.4 million.

Jana said: “This is the great development as you recall the trophy was vibrant during Kamuzu era but since 1994 the initiative has been sidelined and this is a sigh of relief.”

He further hailed FDH bank for rescuing the city with the sponsorship after some companies failed to fulfil their promises.

The sponsors of the trophy, FDH bank, through its Deputy Managing Director, William Mpinganjira, said it is the bank’s priority to invest in the children as they are the pillars of development.

“The foundation of every organization or country starts with the youth and with a good base then the future is guaranteed,” said Mpinganjira.

He further said the bank will consider on calls from the schools that the champions from cities should also compete at national level.

In the football category, Mponda primary school were crowned the champions after beating Prison primary school by 3-1 through post match penalties while on the third place, Police primary school beat Zomba CCAP by 1-0.

In the Netball category, Police primary school were crowned the champions after beating Mthundu by 15-13 while on the third place, Chikamveka won against Mpotola by 10-7.