Mimosa Queens are North Airtel Money netball champs
Goal shooter Sarah Nkhata inspired Mimosa Queens to retain the Airtel Money Netball Northern Region Championship after beating Young Sisters 21-18 at Katoto Secondary School Sports Complex in Mzuzu on Saturday.
Nkhata put a grand performance and converted most of her team’s baskets.
To qualify for the finals, Young Sisters beat Malongo from Rumphi 22-11 while Mimosa beat Karonga Queens 26-16.
The tournament attracted 16 teams from Likoma, Nkhata Bay, Mzuzu City, Ekwendeni, Mzimba, Rumphi and Karonga.
Mimosa coach Future Mtegha thanked her charges for playing according to instructions to defend the regional netball title.
“I am thanking my players for the hard work they exhibited. It was a grand performance. Meanwhile, we are looking forward to better performance in the national finals,” she said.
Young Sisters coach Jean Kachale accepted the defeat saying her shooters were not in form having failed to utilise several chances they had.
Mimosa will now compete in national finals against regional champions from Central and Southern regions May 28-30 at Katoto Secondary School courts in Mzuzu.
Speaking during the prize presentation, Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) general secretary Carol Bapu urged the winning side to start preparing for the national finals.
“Congratulations to Mimosa for emerging regional champions. However, the journey is still on and the higher you go the tougher it becomes, so start intensive preparations for the national finals,” said Bapu.
Regional sports officer for the North Georgina Msowoya, who was the guest of honour, thanked Airtel Malawi for sponsoring the tournament.
For their success, Mimosa received K1 million (US$2 222) while runners-up Young Sisters and third-placed Karonga Queens received K500 000 (US$1 111) and K300 000 (US$667) respectively.
In individual awards, Ethel Phulusa of Tigresses from Likoma was named the tournament’s best player and received K25 000 (US$56) for her feat.
Jane Ngolande of Young Sisters was the tournament’s the best shooter. Mimosa’s Stella Kamanga was named the best centre while Sitola Mwafulirwa of Karonga Queens was named the best defender and they received K20 000 (US$44) each.
In his remarks, Airtel’s product development and operations manager for Airtel Bigboy Makoloma said it is his company’s wish to promote netball across the country.
“First of all we are happy with the turnout of people who have come to witness the final matches today. The number reflects our wish to take netball game to all,” said Makoloma.
In this year tournament, the national champions will get K7 million.
Blantyre-based Tigresses are the defending champions.
