The rains came and the pitches got greener. At the end of January, 11 teams took part in an U12 '8 a side' football festival. The usual suspects plus two new teams Chipwe Utd and Aliweme attended. Wachisa said it was the 'best yet'.  The mini goals and nets are still looking good. A big incentive for these teams to take part in festivals and training sessions, is the next shipment of kits, balls and equipment that should arrive by the start of next season in July/August. 

Albert Chihana, the General Secretary of the Chitipa District Youth Football Association said. 

'It was amazing how the festival came to life after a long break. The kids are really enjoying this massive support from you Andy. As for us we just can't highlight our excitement enough of the steps that this support is making us take. Wachisa is just someone easy to go at and work out  something positive. Always on the front foot giving updates and feedback, I really enjoy the relationship that this initiative has brought in us. Once again Andy thanks for letting us live to see this colourful football dream for the district, we will keeping breathing life to this project and see it grow from strength to strength'. 

Wachisa Munkhondijah, Senior Coach and Project Coordinator said.

'Young Coaches Leadership Course must be next for sure. I need to start preparing for this CONSOLIDATING the Foundations we have laid YOUNG COACHES must be exposed to Proper Knowledge  for sure' 

Plans are being made to build on the positive mood created by the U12 festival. Wachisa and Albert will be holding a Senior and Young Coaches training session soon to evaluate the ongoing 'training needs' for the teams, ahead of an official Young Coaches Leadership course. Also Chitipa District Sports Officers Rowland Harawa and McDonald Chimaliro are implementing a 'pilot scheme' to encourage 4 primary schools located close south west of Chitipa centre in Kawale zone to work together in holding U14/17 football, netball, volleyball and cricket games. All these developments Community Sports Leaders Africa is currently encouraging ahead of kit arriving later in the year. 

Back in 2020, Grant Watson from Alnwick Tennis Club had donated all the equipment needed to get tennis started in Chitipa. I had asked Rowland to get some interest and find a suitable place to put the court. There was no progress, so I handed the initiative over to Wachisa. Within  a month plans were in place to build the court at Ishalikira FP school. 

The U12 project continues to develop through the hard work of Wachisa and the other coaches. They held an 'end of holiday' Fun Day in mid April. It was an informal  way of getting together, learn from each other and plan for the future. It was great to see the speed ladders being well used as well as the sticks. I didn't see any old bicycle tyres, which would have made me smile! 

On July 25th the good news came that the 59 boxes had safely arrived in Chitipa. What a journey! They left my garage on October 8th 2022 and arrived 290 days later. A huge thanks to Nick Parker at GA Smith transport for taking them to Dundee on the 1st leg. The 2nd leg from Dundee to Ekwendeni was made possible by the Bananabox Trust. The final leg to Chitipa was thanks to Levison Mlambya at William Stewart Foundation. 

It didn't take Wachisa long to organise an U12 festival. 9 clubs participated and all received a new kit and two balls.  There would be another festival planned before the first ever U12 league would start in October. 

Next on Wachisa's list of things to do was to hold a Young Coaches leadership course. Wachisa wanted to share the knowledge he got from attending the recent UEFA elite coaching course in Lilongwe. A group of 25 young players attended and will now train their U12 teams.  On the final day 3 coaches from  Chitipa Utd, attended to inspire the young coaches.  

Community Sports Leaders Africa has supported Coach Wachisa through 2023. In May he attended a week long UEFA sponsored Elite Youth Coaches seminar in Lilongwe. In September he was chosen to attend a CAF C Course in Blantyre. His efforts in Chitipa do not go unnoticed. It is great to be able to support him financially.    

Fresh from Blantyre, 15 hours drive and 922 kilometres away, Wachisa was today encouraging Girls football in his area. He is supporting 4 teams, Nyabinghi Queens, Namuyemba, Chitipa Hammers and Youngsters and today donated balls and kits.  

As 2023 came to an end, Wachisa and the fellow coaches celebrated a successful year with an U12 festival. In the UK, plans were taking shape to start the 2024 kit recycling and to try and raise the cash to send it.