The country's soccer governing body Football Association of Malawi (Fam) will sponsor an Under-17 women's football trophy aimed at developing football talent from the grassroots.

National Womens Football Committee (NWFC) chairperson Severia Chalira said the committee has submitted a report to Fam requesting for about K8.5 million to run the trophy.

"Last week we sent a budget of K8.5 million to Fam for all the operations of the competition. We are just waiting for feedback," Chalira said.

The women's football boss said the trophy was crucial at a time Fifa has recently given Malawi a thumbs down on football development.

"Recently Fifa released an evaluation report on the status of women's football worldwide. The report said there was no development of women's football in the country. It is high time we started developing the sport. This trophy will play a crucial role," she said.

Chalira said the competition, which would be dubbed Fifa Fam Cup, is targeting junior clubs nationwide.

"Last year we advised clubs to establish junior teams for continuity purposes. Some clubs adopted that. We are targeting youngsters so that we can scout young talent to form a junior national team that will stay in camp for two weeks before coming up with the final squad," Chalira said.

Fam general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said the association received NWFC's report.

"Each year Fam sponsors women's football cup. We received the women's football report. I have to send it to the executive (committee) for approval,"

"When the report has been approved, we will be able to say when the trophy will commence. Probably, it may start in April bearing in mind the Presidential Cup which is about to kick off," Nyirenda said.

The Fifa Fam Cup would be played in five districts each region.

Three top teams from each region would qualify for the national finals.