Blantyre Youth Football Committee (BYFC) has urged young football players in the country to focus on education apart from playing football.

The committee’s general secretary, Joseph Semu, made the call during prize presentation ceremony for Under-13 and Under-15 teams, which was held at Mpira  Village at Chiwembe in Blantyre.

Semu said it is imperative for the young football players to focus on their education for a better future because football is a short term career.

“We have evidence of some former football players who are finding it hard to sustain their lives, all because they do not have academic qualifications to get jobs after retiring from playing football. It is to this fact that we are encouraging these youngsters to prepare for life after football by knowing the importance of education,” he said.

He added that as a committee, they decided to present different forms of prizes to the players, which most of them were dominated by school materials such as exercise books and pens.

In his remarks, sponsor for the junior league, Isaac Jomo Osman, said Football Association of Malawi (FAM) should play a leading role in supporting youth football by providing equipment to the teams.

“Most of these teams are run by individuals. It beats me to see youngsters playing without the necessary sports attire. How can they express themselves perfectly in such challenging situations?,” quizzed Jomo Osman.

Future Stars are champions in Under-13 League whereas Ntopwa Super Boys are champions in Under-15 League.