NAM closes in on Queens’ coach
The Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) has closed in on naming the coach for Africa’s number one national netball team, the Queens.
NAM is debating on whether to retain coach Mary Waya whose two-year contract expired mid-February 2015.
NAM president Rosy Chinunda confirmed yesterday that his body would unveil the coach “in a few days” ahead of camp training for the Diamond Challenge (June 14 to 18) and Africa Netball Championship (from June 29) in South Africa and Namibia respectively.
“We expect the team to go into camp immediately after the Airtel netball games at the end of the month. We will come back to you with the squad and the name of the coach very soon; probably at the end of the week,” Chinunda said.
Apart from the two continental events, Malawi has tougher challenges awaiting them at the Netball World Cup scheduled for Australia from August 7 to 16.
NAM has since invited back star New Zealand- based goal shooter Mwawi Kumwenda after months of absence while protesting over players’ welfare. The protest earned her a serious warning letter.
The Queens, ranked fifth in the world out of some 35 ranked national teams, have been inactive this year.
Zimbabwe and Zambia are reportedly among other invited teams for the South Africa challenge which the hosts body, Netball South Africa, will use as a vehicle for fighting attacks on immigrants in the Rainbow Nation. South Africa and Zambia have since stepped up preparations.
“As the umbrella body for the sport that represents nearly two million active participants, we call on all South Africans to take a stand against hatred and discrimination and end the bloodshed,” Netball South Africa president Mimi Mthethwa told her association’s website.
