Church leadership and SIM Malawi are using creative strategies to relate to the masses of youth living in Malawi. Approximately 70% of the population in Malawi is under the age of 25 and many love football and netball. Sports is a magnet that is already attracting these young people and it creates a perfect environment for building deep relationships that lead to Gospel opportunities.

The Malawian youth are the focus of Sports Friends Malawi but the impact goes much deeper into their family structures through our intentional relationship strategies. This project covers the costs and activities of Sports Friends in Malawi (such as training, leadership development, sports equipment, Bibles and ministry materials, and other support). Over the past 5 years, we have been committed to working with Malawian churches and mission partners to develop an effective fruitful church-centered sports ministry movement that began in the southern region of Malawi in 2012. Sports Friends' vision and focus is developing ongoing and sustainable sports ministry programs in Malawi that are fully managed and funded by the local Malawian church. This has been proven possible through denominations signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sports Friends Malawi. Today, there are three such official partnerships and 4 other partners that we are still discussing of Signing MOU and that representing over 800 local churches. Sports Friends Malawi will be working closely with local churches to show them that they have all it takes to support their local sports ministry.We have already seen much ownership taken by churches at national and regional level in some churches so we know it can work in the future.