Netball Association of Malawi’s (NAM) wish to have Queens coach hired on permanent basis is closer to becoming a reality as the body’s proposal has passed the test at the government’s directorate of human resource management.
Ministry of Youth and Sports spokesperson Simon Mbvundula said in an interview on Wednesday the development means that what remains is a recruitment approval, before the job can be advertised.
He said: “The [NAM’s] submission was assessed by the directorate and has passed the test. The next process now is to submit the same to relevant
Chawinga-Kaluwa
stakeholders, especially the OPC [Office of the President and Cabinet], which is the appointing authority for such a post, seeking final approval to recruit.stakeholders, especially the
“Once that is done, we will move on with the normal processes of recruitment such as advertising the job.”
The issue of hiring the Queens permanent coach has not materialised for the past four years.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) got a full-time coach a few months ago after submitting a proposal to the government almost at the same time as NAM, which roped in Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa as Queens coach on caretaker basis.
The delays to have a permanent coach for the national netball team is partly blamed on the Queens’ struggles to improve their performance on the international stage where they are sixth on world rankings.
The Queens’ struggles to have a proper transitioning process is also attributed to that as part-time coaches are only available for event-based assignments.
NAM general secretary (GS) Carol Bapu admitted that the arrangement of hiring part-time coaches affects planning as they are restricted to short-term plans such as the development of players from the grassroots.
“Though we are yet to get an official communication from the government on the same. We are happy that there seem to be a swift progress in the deployment process. We have been waiting for this time because, by having a permanent national team coach, our development agenda will well be implemented,” she said.
Bapu said with a full time coach, NAM technical director Samuel Kanyenda will come up with long-term plans.
“The availability of a full time coach will help in ensuring that our soon-to-be-unveiled strategic plan is all encompassing,” she said.
Netball is the most followed sport in the country besides football and Queens are ranked sixth in the world and second in Africa.
Meanwhile, the Queens wind up their test series today in South Africa after losing in the first match 65-25 on Thursday and 62-29 in the second on Friday .
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