Malawi Under-19 women cricket squad yesterday flew to Botswana for the Region Five Cricket Games with a peace of mind after General Alliance Insurance Company provided them with travel insurance cover worth close to K8 million per player.
The company’s corporate development manager Hastings Kapesa said the 14-player squad, which is making its first-ever international appearance, is fully covered in case of accident, sickness and theft of luggage.
“We are committed to helping cricket grow. However, we are aware that challenges such as athletes’ injuries sustained through accidents can be detrimental to the wellbeing of the sport if not well taken care of. This is why we have decided to provide travel insurance cover for each of the players in the squad,” he said.
The team’s captain, Shahida Hussein, said the insurance cover will help them start their campaign in the eight-team competition with a peace of mind.
“We are happy that we are insured at the games. This has boosted our morale and we are geared to make our first international appearance count as we face Zambia in our first preliminary round match on Thursday [today],” she said.
According to Malawi Cricket Union (MCU) president Vivek Ganesan, who has travelled with the squad alongside coach Ben Gwilliam, assistant coach Robert Kanyandula and team manager Cath McComb, the national team will also take on Mozambique tomorrow and South Africa on Saturday before they can qualify for the knock-out stage.
The squad is as follows: Hussein, Mary Mabvuka, Sharon Dzimau, Tadala Mpandakwaya, Vanessa Phiri, Lydia Dimba, Chimwemwe Juma, Dyna Rice, Meria Dyles, Patricia Manyungwa, Dalitso Ndipo, Dalida Dzimau, Thandi Katunga and Brenda Ndipo.
