Dancing to Queens’ tune
Yes, the World Cup is gone and all we are left with are memories. However, netball action at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games is providing all the solace. While Neymar and Rodriquez thrilled the world with their magical skills, we now get fascinated with the likes of New Zealand’s Catherine Latu and, of course, our own girls, the Queens.
Adding spice to an already hot mixture that is unlike what is current on the local scene, there are no leggings at the global netball event in Scotland. Spectators are able to appreciate the skills and ‘all that stuff’.
It is interesting that a lot more guys are following the proceedings as they unfold in Glasgow on TV and last week more of my male colleagues at work were glued to the TV while their hands were tucked tightly in their trousers pockets. That could also be the reason my little pal Gomezgani Zakazaka missed a coach to Lilongwe.
Ordinarily, the expectation is that the focus would be on the goal shooters taking aim at scoring, but nay! These guys salivated and gazed at the player’s thighs as her kit pulled up. Even at the pub where I usually patronise in down town Blantyre, the cleaner, who is an old fella called Jayilosi, also spotted a tatto on one New Zealand players’ thigh and said: “Atsikana athutu akhoza kupambana koma akutipomboneza ndi uyo wa cartoon yo” of course, I realised he meant ‘tatoos’.
Now those are the sights and sounds of this beautiful game that it is not just the netball action that fascinates spectators, in particular men, but the entire thrills including the ‘drumstick’. Now do you wonder that the INF does not allow players to wear tights at such prestigious competitions?
That said, it felt really good to see our own Queens turn on the magic against the world’s top ranked side—the Silver Ferns of New Zealand. With an ounce of luck, they could have given the world a Cindirella tale of the year. It was a vintage display and the look on the New Zealand coach’s face gave an impression that she would have demanded a recount had our girls carried the day, but such is the beauty of sport that it doesn’t always go according to script. AOB: Mighty Wanderers—ayichukucha. Glory be to God. Uloliwe..Uloliwe wayidudula hii…Neng’asiza [The train is pushing].
