Ascent Academy boys’ and girls’ teams are expected to leave the country today for Iceland where they will participate in the 2024 Rey Cup scheduled for July 24 to 28.
The boys will participate in the competition as defending champions after winning the 2023 edition with a 100 percent record whereas the girls will be in the contest for the first time.
The academy’s head of coaches Murphy Rory told journalists in Lilongwe on Wednesday that a delegation of 30 will make the trip.
Rory said after the tournament, the boys’ team will proceed to Ireland for a series of friendly matches from August 1 to 10.
“It is a good opportunity for the young boys and girls to showcase their talents,” Rory said.
The boys’ trip to Ireland has been made possible with financial support from the Irish government.
Irish Ambassador to Malawi Seamus O’Grady, who visited the academy’s premises on Wednesday, hailed Ascent for changing the lives of young people through sports and scholarships.
“I never imagined that such a facility exists in Malawi. This is quite fantastic and I am really overwhelmed with what I have seen here. I am hoping that in future, I will see Malawian players competing in the Uefa Champions League.
“Any country that is serious about sport needs to invest a lot in it. Young people like to take part in various sports codes and this is part of human development,” O’Grady said.
Ascent girls are in Group B of the competition and will take on Arsenal Under-16 in their opening match on Friday before meeting Iceland giants Prottur.
The Malawians will wrap up their group fixtures with a showdown against Nordsjaelland of Denmark.
Group A comprises German side Bayern Munich, Brighton and Hove Albion of England and Tindastall from Iceland.
Ascent girls will use the tournament to fine-tune for the Caf Women’s Champions League/Cosafa qualifiers scheduled to take place in Malawi next month.
The team’s confidence is high after lifting the 2023 Goshen Fam Women’s Championship at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe in May this year following a 1-0 win over MDF Lionesses.
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